Paradise fish

Care at a glance

The paradise fish from East Asia was one of the first tropical ornamental fish kept in Europe, long before aquarium heaters existed. It is remarkably cold-tolerant and colours up beautifully with blue-and-red barring and broad, flowing fins.

It is a labyrinth fish that gulps air at the surface, so always leave an air gap under the lid, and keep it covered because it jumps. Males will not tolerate each other and are also hard on other colourful, long-finned fish, so keep a single male and choose the rest of the community with care.

Good to know

• Keep a single male
• Known jumper — cover the tank

Best not combined with

• GuppyPoecilia reticulata
• BettaBetta splendens

Related species

• Electric yellow labLabidochromis caeruleus
• Sparkling gouramiTrichopsis pumila
• Convict cichlidAmatitlania nigrofasciata
• Croaking gouramiTrichopsis vittata
• Boesemani rainbowfishMelanotaenia boesemani
• OscarAstronotus ocellatus