The roundtail or Chinese paradise fish (Macropodus ocellatus, formerly M. chinensis) is a fish for connoisseurs and experts. For connoisseurs because it is extremely inconspicuous in its plain plumage – i.e. as a rule in the dealer’s tank. Those who are not familiar with it will therefore usually not buy it. But connoisseurs know: in their breeding plumage, the males of this species are truly wonderfully colored!
M. ocellatus is for experts because, as a fish from the subtropics (native to parts of China, Japan, and Korea), it must be kept in a seasonal rhythm. If this is not observed, the animals will not become in the mood to spawn, will remain pale, and their immune systems will be so severely compromised that they will sooner or later succumb to bacterial infections.
That is why an outdoor container—which can be an aquarium, a mortar tub, a small pond, or similar—is the ideal habitat for this species, which can become about 6-7 cm long in males and only 4-5 cm long in females. However, M. ocellatus is not truly winter-hardy in our latitudes. During the coldest time of the year, you must therefore ensure that the container either remains frost-free or that the fish are housed in an unheated but frost-free room during the frost period.
We usually receive our Chinese paradise fish in the fall from German outdoor keeping. Often we are given the location where they were initially found, but often we are not. The animals currently in our stock are such “nameless” ones. They are very strong, healthy fish 3-4 cm long, i.e., just reached sexual maturity.
For our customers: the animals have code 425402 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply wholesale customers.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
