All fish / Osphronemidae

Vietnamese Paradise Fish

Macropodus baviensis

Also known as ba vi paradise fish, bavi paradise fish, vietnam paradise fish, macropodus sp. ba vi, マクロポダス・バビエンシス, 巴维斗鱼

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A small labyrinth fish from the forested streams of northern Vietnam, related to the common paradise fish but slimmer and with a rounded tail. Adults are mostly brown to dark bronze with faint bars and bluish to reddish fin edging. Keepers value it as an uncommon, hardy species that tolerates cooler, unheated rooms.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5.5 cm

Temperature

18 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

One male with one or two females, or a pair

Diet

Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus quality flakes and pellets

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Northern Vietnam (Ba Vi area, Red River basin)

Breeding

Males build a bubble nest at the surface among floating plants and guard the eggs and fry after spawning under the nest. Breeding is fairly straightforward in a quiet, well planted tank, and the female should be removed after spawning.

Good to know

Males are territorial towards each other and towards similar labyrinth fish, so keep only one male unless the tank is large and heavily planted. Keep the tank tightly covered as it can jump, and avoid very warm water.