All fish / Osphronemidae

Macropodus oligolepis

Also known as sumatran paradise fish, small-scaled paradise fish

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This is a little-known paradise fish described from Sumatra. Like its relatives it has a long body, long unpaired fins and a forked tail, with dark bars and red and blue tones on the fins. It is uncommon in the hobby and is mostly kept by labyrinth fish specialists.

Care at a glance

Care level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi
Adult size: 7 cm
Temperature: 22 to 28 °C
pH: 6 to 7.5
Smallest tank: 60 litres
Keep as: One male with one or more females
Diet: Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus good flake
Swims: Top of the tank
Lifespan: 5 to 8 years
Water: Freshwater
Wild range: Indonesia (Sumatra and possibly nearby islands); status and range poorly known

Breeding

It is expected to breed like other Macropodus. The male builds a bubble nest at the surface and guards the eggs and fry, which makes it fairly easy to breed once proper stock is available.

Good to know

Its validity as a separate species and its exact identity are uncertain, and fish sold under this name may really be other Macropodus species. Males fight each other, and the tank needs a tight lid because these fish can jump.