Paradise fish care guide
Also called: Paradise gourami, Paradisefish, Blue paradise fish, Albino paradise fish
The paradise fish is a bold, 3 in (8 cm) labyrinth fish with orange and blue bars that is happy at room temperature without a heater. Males are feisty, so keep one male in a 20 gallon (76 L) or larger tank with fast, sturdy tank mates.
Paradise fish need a tank of at least 20 gallons (76 L), and water at 16–24°C (61–75°F) with a pH of 6–8. They grow to about 8 cm (3.1 in) and are semi-aggressive.
Plan a tank with paradise fishSee all tank mates
Paradise fish quick facts
| Scientific name | Macropodus opercularis |
|---|---|
| Family | Osphronemidae |
| Origin | Southern China, Taiwan, Hainan and northern Vietnam (aquarium fish are farm-bred) |
| Adult size | 8 cm (3.1 in) |
| Minimum tank | 20 gallons (76 L), at least 75 cm (30 in) long |
| Temperature | 16–24°C (61–75°F) |
| pH | 6–8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–19 dGH |
| Group size | Alone (only one male) |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive; males fight each other |
| Swims at | Top |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Easy |
| Lifespan | 6–10 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
- Cold-water species: no heater needed in most homes.
- Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
Tank setup
One fish needs at least a 20 gallon (76 L) tank about 30 in (75 cm) long, and a male with females needs more room. Plant it densely and add floating plants so females and other fish can get away from the male. Keep the flow gentle and use a tight lid, as paradise fish can jump.
How many paradise fish in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits paradise fish is a 20 gallon long. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Paradise fish (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Up to 8 |
| 29 gallon | Up to 11 |
| 40 gallon | Up to 16 |
| 55 gallon | Up to 22 |
| 75 gallon | Up to 30 |
| 125 gallon | Up to 50 |
Numbers are bioload limits only. Males fight, so keep one male unless the tank is large and well planned.
What you need for paradise fish
Sized for a 20 gallon long tank, the smallest common size that suits paradise fish. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 20 gallon long aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 20 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 167 lb (76 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 80–120 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 45 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 30 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for paradise fish
- Tropical fish pellets (opens Amazon in a new tab)A good staple for medium community fish.
- Caves and hides (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gives shy and territorial fish their own space.
- Tight-fitting lid for a 20 gallon tank (opens Amazon in a new tab)Paradise fish can jump out of an open tank.
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Water parameters
This is a subtropical fish: 16–24 °C (61–75 °F) suits it well, so most heated homes need no aquarium heater. It handles pH 6.0–8.0 and soft to fairly hard water, about 5–19 dGH. A cooler winter followed by warmer water in spring often triggers breeding.
Best tank mates for paradise fish
These popular species share paradise fish' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 18 good matches.
Panda corydoras
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Platy
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20–26°C (68–79°F)
White cloud mountain minnow
4 cm (1.6 in) · 16–22°C (61–72°F)
Hillstream loach
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 20–24°C (68–75°F)
Otocinclus
4 cm (1.6 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Peppered corydoras
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 20–25°C (68–77°F)
Rosy barb
9 cm (3.5 in) · 18–24°C (64–75°F)
Avoid keeping paradise fish with
- Angelfish: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like angelfish, mistaking them for rivals.
- Betta fish: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like bettas, mistaking them for rivals.
- Cherry shrimp: Paradise fish eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Dwarf gourami: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like dwarf gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
- Fancy goldfish: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like fancy goldfish, mistaking them for rivals.
- Guppy: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like guppies, mistaking them for rivals.
Feeding
In the wild it hunts insects, small crustaceans and even tiny fish. Feed a quality flake or small pellet plus plenty of frozen or live food such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and mosquito larvae. A little plant matter is fine, but protein should make up most of the diet.
Behavior
Males are territorial and fight each other, so keep only one male per tank. They chase or eat very small fish, shrimp and snails, and they attack slow, long-finned fish such as bettas, fancy guppies and fancy goldfish. Good mates are quick, sturdy fish that like the same cool water, such as rosy or gold barbs, variatus platies and peppered corydoras.
Breeding
Males are larger and brighter, with long, pointed fin tips and tail streamers; females are smaller and plainer. The male builds a bubble nest under floating plants and guards the eggs and fry fiercely. Spawn a pair in a planted tank with lots of cover, remove the female afterward and the male once the fry swim. Feed infusoria first, then microworms and baby brine shrimp.
Tips from experienced keepers
- No heater is needed in most homes, but do not let the water drop below about 16 °C (61 °F) for long.
- Keep only one male per tank; two males will fight.
- Do not mix them with bettas, other gouramis, fancy guppies or fancy goldfish, which they attack.
- Expect them to eat small snails and shrimp. They are natural pest-snail hunters.
- Use a tight lid, because paradise fish can jump.
Frequently asked questions
Do paradise fish need a heater?
Usually not. They do well at room temperature, roughly 16–24 °C (61–75 °F). Use a heater only if the room regularly gets colder than that.
Can paradise fish live with bettas?
No. Both are territorial labyrinth fish, and a paradise fish will usually attack a betta's long fins. Keep them in separate tanks.
Are paradise fish aggressive?
They are semi-aggressive. Males fight each other and bully small, slow or long-finned fish, but a single paradise fish usually lives well with fast, sturdy tank mates of a similar size.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.