Red / Apricot Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis) Vibrant, hardy and full of personality, the Red / Apricot Paradise Fish is a stunning colour variety of one of the aquarium hobby's oldest ornamental fish. Its brilliant warm red and apricot tones make it a striking centrepiece for cool or tropical freshwater aquariums. Quick Facts Scientific name: Macropodus opercularis Common name: Red / Apricot Paradise Fish Adult size: 8–10 cm Tank size: 75L+ recommended Difficulty: 🟢 Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Best kept: Individually, compatible pairs or with robust community fish Is this for you? ✔️ Perfect if: You want a colourful fish with plenty of personality. You're looking for a hardy species suitable for cooler water. You enjoy keeping classic labyrinth fish. You want a standout feature fish for your aquarium. ❌ Avoid if: You keep delicate nano fish or shrimp. You have long-finned fish such as Bettas. Your aquarium is overcrowded. You want a completely peaceful community aquarium. Why choose Red / Apricot Paradise Fish? The Red / Apricot Paradise Fish is a selectively bred colour variety of the Paradise Fish, displaying beautiful shades of red, orange and apricot that stand out against its flowing fins. Their rich colours intensify as they mature, especially when housed in spacious, well-maintained aquariums. Originally one of the first ornamental fish introduced to Europe in the 1800s, Paradise Fish remain popular thanks to their intelligence, resilience and fascinating behaviour. They quickly learn feeding routines and are often among the first fish to greet their owners. Like all Paradise Fish, this variety possesses a specialised labyrinth organ that allows it to breathe atmospheric air, making it highly adaptable to a variety of aquarium conditions. Benefits Beautiful red and apricot colouration Hardy and beginner friendly Suitable for cool or tropical aquariums Excellent centrepiece fish Intelligent and interactive personality Long-lived with proper care Care made simple Temperature: 18–26°C pH: 6.5–8.0 Diet: Premium pellets, frozen foods, live foods and occasional vegetable matter Water: Clean, stable and well-filtered Setup: Planted aquarium with driftwood, hiding places and open swimming areas Perform weekly water changes to maintain excellent water quality. Pairs perfectly with White Cloud Mountain Minnows Rainbowfish Larger Barbs Bristlenose Catfish Weather Loaches (in suitably sized cool-water aquariums) NTA Insight: The Red / Apricot variety offers a completely different look to the classic blue Paradise Fish while retaining the same hardy nature and engaging personality. Their warm colours become especially vivid over dark substrates and in aquariums with natural lighting. Like most Paradise Fish, males display their brightest colours during courtship and territorial displays. FAQ How big do Red / Apricot Paradise Fish grow? Most adults reach around 8–10 cm, making them excellent feature fish for medium-sized aquariums. Are Red / Apricot Paradise Fish aggressive? They are considered semi-aggressive. Mature males can become territorial, particularly towards other Paradise Fish or similarly shaped species, but they generally do well with robust community fish in spacious aquariums. Do they need a heater? Not always. Paradise Fish tolerate cooler temperatures than many tropical fish and can often be kept in unheated indoor aquariums, depending on your local climate. Stable temperatures are more important than warm water. Can they live with Bettas? No. Both species are territorial labyrinth fish and should not be housed together, as aggression is common. Is the Red / Apricot Paradise Fish a different species? No. It is a selectively bred colour variety of the Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis) and shares the same care requirements as the standard and blue varieties.
