Black Paradise Fish

About

The black paradise fish (Macropodus spechti) is a labyrinth fish from Vietnam, where it turns up in a surprisingly wide range of habitats. Hill streams, river backwaters, small farm irrigation channels, and pretty much anywhere with some structure and marginal vegetation. Like its better-known paradise fish relatives, it possesses a labyrinth organ that lets it breathe atmospheric air directly, which is part of why it tolerates variable water conditions so well and makes it a reasonable choice for newer keepers. Coloration runs from pale brown to a dark greyish tone, with faint bars that may or may not be visible depending on the individual and mood. The fins are where things get interesting. Look for blue in the posterior dorsal and caudal membranes, black spots and bars on fin membranes, and red on the anterior pelvic-fin ray. This combination distinguishes it from the closely related M. erythropterus, which shows red throughout the unpaired fins. Temperament is generally calm outside of spawning season, and a group will produce some genuinely engaging social behavior worth watching. Breeding follows the typical osphronemid bubble-nest pattern, with the male wrapping around the female during spawning, and the species is notably tolerant. Pairs rarely need to be separated even post-spawn. One hard rule for breeders: keep the tank tightly covered, since fry need access to warm, humid air while their labyrinth organ develops.