Super Red Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis 'Super Red')
| Super Red Paradise Fish Macropodus opercularis 'Super Red' | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Super Red Paradise Fish |
| Name Lat. | Macropodus opercularis 'Super Red' |
| Family | Gouramies |
| Family lat. | Osphronemidae |
| Order | Labyrinth Fishes |
| Order lat. | Anabantiformes |
| Origin | Southeast Asia (breeding variety) |
| Habitat | Streams, swamps |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Behavior | ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Pair, harem |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Bubble nest builder |
| Breeding | Simple |
| Life Span | 5-6 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 8-10 cm |
| Temperature | 18-26 °C |
| Hardness | 5-20 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 150 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 3"-4" |
| Temperature | 64-79 °F |
| Hardness | 89-356 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 40 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The Super Red Paradise Fish is a farmed form. The distribution area of the Paradise Fish is the Yangtze Basin in South China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Hainan Island (China). They live in slow flowing or stagnant waters with dense vegetation, such as ponds, rice paddies and swamps, as well as in still water of streams and rivers.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a dense planting with many hiding places (roots, branches) and provide sufficient swimming space. A dark substrate covered with some foliage (sea almond tree, oak) and subdued light (floating plants) is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the size of the aquarium is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, artemia, tubifex, mosquito larvae, etc. (live or frozen). In addition, they need vegetable food, such as algae leaves or commercially available green food (spirulina, kelp)
Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They should be kept in pairs or better in a harem, one male with several females. Males have a pronounced territorial behavior among themselves and defend their territory consistently. Keeping multiple harems is only possible in a large, richly structured tank. They can be kept in a community tank with not too small, robust fish and many hiding places
Basically, only mutually compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature may be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The male has longer extended fin tips and is usually more magnificently colored than the female.
Reproduction and breeding
The male builds a foam nest, usually involving plant parts, and also takes care of the brood. The eggs (300-500) ejected during the numerous matings (entwinements) rise to the water surface, are collected by the male and introduced into the nest. The larvae hatch after 24-36 hours and swim freely after 2-6 days.
The fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (dust food, Artemia nauplii). In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.
Important
They have an additional respiratory organ called the labyrinth (suprabranchial organ) with which they breathe atmospheric air and can suffocate if this is not possible
They like to jump, so the aquarium should be well covered. Other fish of similar shape and coloration are usually perceived as enemies.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels should be checked at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMEL (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF