Family: Osphronemidae
Black Paradise Fish — a Osphronemidae freshwater fish. Reaches 4.3–6.4 cm; keep at 20–26 °C.
Macropodus spechti of the family Osphronemidae is an aquarium-kept Osphronemidae. Territorial; one male per tank and carnivore; prepared foods plus frozen or live, it grows to 4.3–6.4 cm and prefers 20–26 °C water. Other Macropodus species in our database include Macropodus opercularis, Macropodus erythropterus, Macropodus hongkongensis.
Intermediate difficulty. Territorial; one male per tank; solitary, pairs or small groups.
Hold 20–26 °C and keep it stable — 20–26 °C recorded range. Heater required; stable warmth.
Expect 4.3–6.4 cm as an adult, living middle of the water column. A 49 L tank or larger gives it room.
Carnivore; prepared foods plus frozen or live. Vary the menu — quality flakes or pellets plus frozen or live foods.
Territorial; one male per tank; solitary, pairs or small groups. Good company: Similar-sized peaceful community fish — Similar size and water needs. Keep away from Much smaller fish — May outcompete or bully tiny tankmates.
Found in still waters, rice paddies and slow streams; expect still to very gentle water and tolerates low oxygen; labyrinth breather.
A confirmed jumper: fit a tight lid and lower the waterline slightly.
Bubble-nest builder with paternal care. Males larger with longer fins.