Paradise Fish Care
Known to the technical world as Macropodus opercularis, this fish has had a lot to do with the increase in the fashion of home aquaria. The paradise fish might be called the "guppy of the egglayers." Its ability to survive dirty water, extremes of temperature, and poor feeding conditions, coupled with its beautiful color during mating time, makes it a very desirable fish. It breeds exactly the same as the betta, but in contrast to the betta a domestic paradise fish is never so vicious and will seldom attack the female after she has spawned.
Many people keep paradise fish in their outdoor pools during the summer months. Temperatures as low as 50°F. and as high as 90°F. seem to have little effect upon their well-being, though temperature and environmental conditions do affect their breeding habits.
Strains of this fish have been noted to breed true once a pure line has been developed. The albino paradise, with its contrasting pink eyes and reddish sides, is a very popular strain.
A caution should be sounded about mixing the paradise fish with goldfish: if they are not in a large pool, keep them separated. The paradise fish seems to be jealous of the goldfish's flowing fins and sees to it that they do not stay flowing very long. They attack most long- finned fishes.
