Aquarium fish Macropod

In the hobby of aquarium keeping, one of the oldest and most fascinating species is the macropod, also referred to as the paradise fish. This fish has won over many aquarists worldwide with its striking colors and distinct personality.

The Macropod, a native of East Asia, is prized for both its hardiness and beauty. Because it can flourish in a range of water conditions, it’s a great option for novice and seasoned fish keepers alike.

The Macropod is renowned for its fascinating behavior in addition to its striking appearance. This fish is sure to bring a little excitement to any aquarium, whether you’re drawn to its vivid colors or its energetic personality.

Characteristic	Description
Scientific Name	Macropodus opercularis
Size	Up to 10 cm (4 inches)
Diet	Omnivorous – eats small insects, crustaceans, and prepared foods
Temperature Range	18-28°C (64-82°F)
pH Range	6.0-8.0
Behavior	Territorial, can be aggressive towards other fish
Origin	East Asia
Lifespan	Up to 5 years

Appearance and varieties

Male macropods can grow up to 10 cm in length in the wild, while females only reach 8 cm. The fish has a vivid appearance, with stripes that alternate between red and blue across its whole body and an intensely colored olive back. They have pointed anal and dorsal fins, ventral fins that resemble whiskers, and red forked caudal fins with a blue border.

There are currently four varieties of macropods with varying color variations:

Macropodus opercularis is the common macropod. There are various hues.

• classic color;
• red;
• blue;
• albino;
• orange.

The appearance of aquarium macropods has changed significantly from that of their wild counterparts in recent years. The fish are now much smaller and have a much paler color. Poor feeding and upkeep, as well as crossing different color variations, were the causes of these changes.

Macropods require very little upkeep and are incredibly resilient. Nonetheless, it is worthwhile to heed some advice if you want the fish to delight with its vibrant color and overall health.

Aquarium

A 20-liter aquarium is appropriate for one male. Keeping a male and a few females would be the best choice, but the tank must hold at least 30 liters. Water characteristics:

• temperature – 20-25 ° C;
• acidity – 6.0-7.5 pH;
• hardness – 6-20 dH.

Fish lose color and become lethargic when the water temperature drops significantly.

Covering the aquarium is essential, but don’t forget to allow air to flow between the water and the lid to allow the fish to breathe. 20–25% of the total volume is changed with water each week.

Equipment

It is not required to have a compressor and thermostat when maintaining macropods. Installing a filter is preferable; a low-power model will work fine. Setting a minimum flow is advised because macropods dislike strong currents.

Light

It is best to install the aquarium somewhere that won’t receive direct sunlight. The primary reason artificial lighting is installed is for the benefit of the plants; the fish are indifferent to it. At night, the backlight should be turned off and replaced with a diffuser lamp.

Soil

Dark-colored natural soil (gravel, river pebbles) is better for fish. Every time the water is changed, that is, once a week, the bottom needs to be sipped.

Plants and decor

Macropods feel at ease in dense plant communities. Both common and floating herbs work well for them:

• Wallisneria;
• fern;
• richvy;
• pisties;
• mosses;
• Rogoliznik;
• Echinodorus.

It is necessary to regularly thin out swimming plants so that fish can reach the water’s surface. Additionally, stones or snags can be used to decorate the aquarium.

Nutrition

Animal feeds are fed to macropods at home. They must provide combined nutrition—living and dry feed—at the same time.

Because macropods can become obese, it’s crucial to avoid overfeeding them and to schedule a fasting day for every seven to ten days. Feeding them more frequently—two to three times a day—in smaller portions is preferable.

Aquarium enthusiasts frequently choose the Macropod, commonly referred to as the paradise fish, because of its eye-catching colors, resilience, and distinctive behavior. These fish, which are native to Southeast Asia, adapt well to a range of tank environments and can flourish in aquariums that are heated or not. Macropods are relatively easy to care for, but be cautious when choosing tank mates because they can be territorial, especially during breeding. All things considered, they are an intriguing addition to any aquarium due to their remarkable appearance and versatility.

How to distinguish a male from a female

Macropods differ sexually in highly noticeable ways. Men:

• larger;
• brighter colored;
• have longer fins;

Fish reach sexual maturity after six to eight months.

Reproduction

Selecting a pair of the same species and color variation is advised for reproduction. It is important to choose large fish with bright colors, proper body proportions, and long fins in order to produce quality offspring.

Even though macropods can breed in a shared aquarium, it is still preferable to have a separate tank set up for spawning:

1. A tank with a volume of 10-20 liters is suitable.
2. For spawning, take 70% of the water from the common aquarium where the fish lived before and 30% new. The water level should be up to 15 cm.
3. Soil is not needed for such an aquarium, but plants should be added. Vallisneria, Pistia or Riccia are suitable.

It is advised to separate the male and female before spawning. Fish should be fed frozen or live food at this point. When the male is first released into the outfitted aquarium, he starts right away to construct a nest out of plant leaves and air foam on the water’s surface. After a day, a woman is added to him. The male pushes the female under the nest when construction is finished, which happens after two days. At that point, spawning takes place.

The male immediately fertilizes the eggs by squeezing the female’s abdomen and forcing the eggs out. The female lays roughly 500 eggs during spawning. After releasing the female, the male gathers the eggs within the nest. It is preferable to remove the female as soon as possible after spawning to prevent the male from attacking and consuming the eggs.

Fish that are moved into aquariums occasionally don’t feel the need to spawn right away. In this instance, spawning can be encouraged:

• increase the water temperature to 25-26 ° C;
• soften and acidify the water;
• add almond leaf to water.

Caring for offspring

The male tends to the eggs after spawning; he replaces the dropped eggs and replenishes the nest with foam. Within 36 hours of the eggs hatching, the larvae become fry, which swim around the aquarium in a few more days. The male needs to be removed right now because he is already endangering the fry. The babies start feeding as soon as they can swim around the aquarium:

• in the first days, infusoria will do;
• after 4-5 days, you can give live brine shrimp and special food for fry;
• after another week, you can introduce microworms and chopped tubifex into the diet;
• at the age of one month, add frozen daphnia and cyclops.

Compatibility with other fish

Because of their intraspecific aggression, two male macropods in the same aquarium will frequently fight. You can keep them in groups of three or more pairs of fish, or a male and several females. They get along well with some kinds of fish, but it’s best to put them in the aquarium at the same time to prevent disputes.

The intriguing fish known as the macropod adds a special charm to any aquarium. For both new and seasoned fish keepers, it can be a rewarding addition because of its vivid colors and intriguing behavior.

But keep in mind that macropods can be territorial, so make sure to give them plenty of room and choose their tank mates wisely. These fish will flourish and show off their best traits if they receive the right care and attention to their surroundings.

You can design a thriving, peaceful aquarium that showcases the beauty of this amazing species by being aware of the particular requirements that the macropod requires.

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