Edit Macropodus hongkongensis

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Name

Scientific name

Macropodus hongkongensis

Described by

Authority Freyhof & Herder, Year 2002

Family

Osphronemidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 6 credited

Summary

Macropodus hongkongensis is a paradisefish from Hong Kong and the neighbouring Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Fujian. In Hong Kong it i…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

70mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 80 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 15–25°C, pH 6–8

Hardness

5–20dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

China, Hong Kong, Han (Guangdong)

Writing

Etymology

Macropodus: from the Ancient Greek μακρός (makrós), meaning 'long', and ποδός (podós), meaning 'foot, leg', in reference to the long pelvic fins in members of …

Distribution

In 1996 the species was known from five localities in Hong Kong, but at least one of these has been destroyed and it is now known only from Tai Po and Sai Kung…

Habitat

Has been collected from both mountain hill streams and lowland, sometimes agricultural, environments. Apparently displays a preference for shallow habitats wit…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions measuring 80 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent should be the minimum considered for a single pair.

Maintenance

Can be maintained in a fully-decorated aquarium although many breeders prefer not to use a substrate for ease of maintenance. Driftwood roots and branches can …

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Likely to prey on insect larvae and suchlike in nature, and should be offered small live or frozen Daphnia, Artemia, white worm, grindal worm, etc., in captivi…

Behaviour and compatibility

Similarly-shaped fishes should be avoided, but can be maintained alongside peaceful schooling species with comparable environmental requirements. Males are ter…

Sexual dimorphism

Males are larger than females and possess extended soft rays in the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins.

Reproduction

Bubble nester. Soft water with a slightly raised temperature is said to induce reproductive behaviour. The aquarium should have the tightest-fitting cover poss…

Bubble nester. Soft water with a slightly raised temperature is said to induce reproductive behaviour.

The aquarium should have the tightest-fitting cover possible (some breeders use clingfilm/plastic wrap) because the fry need access to a layer of warm, humid air, without which development of the labyrinth organ can be impaired.

The pair need not be separated prior to spawning. The male tends to construct his nest within a raft of surface vegetation, and the female(s) are usually tolerated during this period. Once the nest is complete, the male displays to potential mates using his elongated dorsal, anal, and caudal fins.

The nuptial female becomes paler in colour. Spawning normally occurs beneath the nest in an 'embrace' typical of osphronemids, with the male wrapped around the female.

At the point of climax milt and a few eggs are released. The latter contain a globule of oil and are lighter than water, therefore they float upwards to the nest, often assisted by the male. The process is then repeated until the female is spent, with several hundred eggs typically deposited.

Post-spawning the adults can normally be left in situ. The female is normally tolerated by the male to an extent, and may even play an active role in defending the area around the nest from intruders.

Once the eggs hatch they remain in the nest until the yolk sac is fully-absorbed. When the fry begin to swim freely the male will lose interest, but the adults do not usually eat their offspring.

The require an infusoria-grade food for the first few days, after which they can accept motile foods such as microworm and Artemia nauplii. Water changes should be small and regular rather than large and intermittent.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Year

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Notes

This species is occasionally available in the ornamental trade. It can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: caudal-fin f…

References

4 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References