Edit Macropodus ocellatus

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Name

Scientific name

Macropodus ocellatus

Described by

Authority Cantor, Year 1842

Family

Osphronemidae

Common names

Roundtail Paradise Fish

Photograph credits

6 of 7 credited

Summary

The roundtail paradise fish, Macropodus ocellatus, is a labyrinth fish with an enormous range in China, Korea and Japan, north to the Amur …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

80mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 80 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 10–22°C, pH 6–7.5

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, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Amur, Gui, Heilong, Hongshui He, Yuan, Zhu

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

Known from an enormous range in China, Korea, Japan, and possibly northeastern Vietnam, which on the mainland stretches between the Zhu Jiang (Pearl River) in …

Habitat

Has been collected from irrigation ditches, rice paddies, pools, marshes, streams, and backwaters of larger rivers. During winter months the temperature across…

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

Males become territorially aggressive when reproductively active, but this species can be maintained as a group in a suitably-sized, well-decorated aquarium.

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…

Notes

M. ocellatus is sometimes referred to as M. chinensis (Bloch, 1790) in older literature, a name now considered synonymous with M. opercularis (Linnaeus, 1758).…

M. ocellatus is sometimes referred to as M. chinensis (Bloch, 1790) in older literature, a name now considered synonymous with M. opercularis (Linnaeus, 1758). Colour pattern apparently exhibits some variability between populations, although this has not been studied in detail.

It can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: caudal-fin rounded; eye stripe not connecting spot on posterior projection of opercle with eye; dorsal-fin rays filamentous posterior to a vertical through the posterior anal-fin rays in adults; 16-19 spinous dorsal-fin rays; 6-13 rakers on ceratobranchial of first gill arch; posterior tip or margin of body scales not darker than scales

Like others in the suborder Anabantoidei this species possesses an accessory breathing organ known as the labyrinth, which permits the fish to breathe atmospheric air to a certain extent. Comprising paired suprabranchial organs formed via expansion of the epibranchial (upper) section of the first gill arch and housed in a chamber above the gills, it contains many highly-vascularised, folded flaps of skin which function as a large respiratory surface. Its structure varies in complexity between species, tending to be more developed in those inhabiting harsher environments.

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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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Year

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References

5 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