Black Paradise Fish -Macropodus Opercularis Concolor

[fishnovice]

Amazing alternative to betta -sound too good to be true!

Just seen Macropodus opercularis concolor juviniles advertised. Never heard of them but seriously tempted. They look like betta but (according to some sources) are non-aggessive community fish, easy to breed and can tolerate temp from 25degrees to near freezing!Internet research gives conflicting info about their agression, from peaceful community fish to very aggressive males that will kill each other and smaller fish just like betta. One source even recommended keeping them with cichlids like jewels, cons and firemouths.

Has anyone kept them and if so what are they really like?

 

[ellena]

Hmmm, not a lot of clear info online is there? One site says they actually need low temps, rather than just tolerate them. Some first hand experiences here.

 

[fishnovice]

Hmmm, not a lot of clear info online is there? One site says they actually need low temps, rather than just tolerate them. Some first hand experiences here.

Thanks for that link. I'm having second thoughts about them -seem as aggressive as betta if not worse! Won't be able to keep 2 breeding pairs as I had hoped and they certainly can't go in community tank with guppies as they kill smaller fish. Gourami appear to be the only suitable tankmates. What a pity

 

[england]

I see somebody in london on gumtree, is selling these at something like 2pound a pop...he has bred them,so obviously he knows what he's doing, he says there very hard to get hold of, only sourcing them seven times in 30yrs of fish keeping, yes paradise are actually quite aggressive, best kept in sub tropical conditions so iam led to beleive, apparently chinese kept these as first aqaurium fish before goldfish became popular, i was thinking of getting another species tank with some of these

 

[fishnovice]

I see somebody in london on gumtree, is selling these at something like 2pound a pop...he has bred them,so obviously he knows what he's doing, he says there very hard to get hold of, only sourcing them seven times in 30yrs of fish keeping, yes paradise are actually quite aggressive, best kept in sub tropical conditions so iam led to beleive, apparently chinese kept these as first aqaurium fish before goldfish became popular, i was thinking of getting another species tank with some of these

Hi Nelly. I've contacted him by email. He's away this week but has invited me to see his setup when he's back. I'll keep you informed when I see him -and the fish