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	How to keep a Paradise fish
Smaug Hobbyist Posts: 66 Kudos: 72 Votes: 3 Registered: 30-Jul-2004	Hi there, what do you think is needed to have a paradise fish in good conditions?? (tank size, mates, etc) should they be bought in couples?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
bettachris Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3875 Kudos: 4173 Votes: 452 Registered: 13-Jun-2004	a 20 long - 55 gallon is good, maybe 1 male and 2 females would be a good mix. generally these fish dont need alot of stuff. being one of the first aquarium fish, it is very hardy, water temp isn't a big thing, and it is labyrith. pellets and froozen foods are good. tankmates would be like cories, and cardinals.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
Big E Fish Addict Posts: 606 Kudos: 382 Votes: 0 Registered: 20-Feb-2001	Personally, I think a well planted 10 gallon is big enough for one by itself. For a trio (I think 2 females and one male disperses aggression), a 29 or larger is necessary. Mine is in a 29 gallon tank (single male) with 2 dojo-ish loaches (unidentified Misgurnus sp.), a pair of otos, and a clown pleco. Eric Last edited by Big E at 29-Sep-2005 19:47
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
So_Very_Sneaky Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3238 Kudos: 2272 Votes: 201 Registered: 10-Mar-2004	I have to agree with Eric, 10g well planted is sufficient for a Paradise fish or two. Keep 1 male to 2 females, or keep singly. Water temperature isnt critical, but a consistent temp of 76F is probably healthiest. They need variations in foods, from frozen bloodworms to fresh peas. All labyrinth fish should be fed some vegetable matter (either peas, spirulina, or veggie flakes) at least once a week to combat bloating and constipation. All my tanks have a pure veggie day, where noone gets anything but veggie based foods. They are easy to keep, very hardy, very friendly, and very intelligent. They are great at fry control. Can be kept with most other fishes of similar to slightly smaller size. Bear in mind they may nip long fins like those of guppies. :-D good luck they are awesome fish! Come Play Yahtzee With Me! http://games.atari.com Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
Big E Fish Addict Posts: 606 Kudos: 382 Votes: 0 Registered: 20-Feb-2001	They are awesome...I'll confess I like them more than most cichlids - drop dead handsome and so interactive! Eric
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
So_Very_Sneaky Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3238 Kudos: 2272 Votes: 201 Registered: 10-Mar-2004	I totally agree with you Eric. They have to be one of the most amazing of the Labyrinth fish. Mine eats from my hand and swims through my fingers after tubifex worms. I wonder if you could keep a large group of them in a larger tank, like 33 g or something. Come Play Yahtzee With Me! http://games.atari.com Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
Big E Fish Addict Posts: 606 Kudos: 382 Votes: 0 Registered: 20-Feb-2001	I've heard of folks keeping 2 males and several females (can't recall the number) in 36" long tanks (the standard 30 gallon long) or bigger, but I've not tried it. I have one in the basement that I found at a garage sale, but I don't have a stand or hood and haven't tested the tank for leaks. Maybe next spring my dojos will be large enough and the cash will be there for a stand and hood and I'll give it a go. Eric
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
Theresa_M Moderator Queen of Zoom Posts: 3649 Kudos: 4280 Votes: 790 Registered: 04-Jan-2004	I'd agree that a 10g would be fine for one. I've always read that like bettas, males shouldn't be kept together. For a pair or 1M/2F trio I'd say at least a 20g is necessary, with lots of floating plants & hiding places. The males can be quite agressive towards the females, especially at spawning time. I also agree that they're fantastic fish My first experience with fish spawning was with a pair of paradise fish. It was absolutely amazing, I sat there watching and taking bunches of pics Theresa_M attached this image: ~~~~~~~~~~~~ There is water at the bottom of the ocean
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
Big E Fish Addict Posts: 606 Kudos: 382 Votes: 0 Registered: 20-Feb-2001	That's one great photo! I wish I could get photos like that with my digital, but it doesn't have a macro mode so you have to be at least 12" away to get a good photo. Eric
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48
Theresa_M Moderator Queen of Zoom Posts: 3649 Kudos: 4280 Votes: 790 Registered: 04-Jan-2004	Thanks...I managed to get some video with the camera too. Not the greatest quality but good enough to see what was going on. They were in a community tank at the time so unfortuntely nothing came of the spawn but it was still a fantastic and unexpected opportunity for me. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ There is water at the bottom of the ocean
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:48


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