Paradise fish

The paradise fish is a freshwater labyrinth fish of the family Osphronemidae, native to East Asia including southern China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Korea, where it inhabits rice paddies, ditches and slow waters. Males are strikingly colored with alternating red and blue-green vertical bars and long flowing fins. It is a hardy but pugnacious species; males are territorial toward each other and toward similar-looking fish, and it can harass smaller or long-finned tankmates. It is often kept singly or as a carefully managed pair. It tolerates a wide temperature range, including unheated tanks, thanks to its labyrinth organ that lets it breathe air. It is an omnivore accepting flake, pellet, frozen and live foods. Males build bubble nests and guard the eggs and fry. Robust, undemanding and long-lived, it suits keepers who can manage its aggression.