Black Paradise Fish Breeding Guide

How to breed Macropodus spechti, a Vietnamese black paradise fish that is a bubble-nester; the male builds a surface nest and guards floating eggs and fry.

Overview

Macropodus spechti is a dark-bodied paradise fish from Vietnam, reaching about 70-80 mm standard length according to Seriously Fish. It is a bubble-nesting labyrinth fish and is slightly more peaceful than the common paradise fish.

Sexing

Seriously Fish states that males are larger and possess extended soft rays in the dorsal, anal and caudal fins, while females become paler as they approach spawning readiness.

Conditioning

Adults are brought into condition on a varied diet. According to Seriously Fish, soft water with a slightly raised temperature is said to induce reproductive behaviour. A minimum base of around 80 x 30 cm suits the species.

Breeding Setup

Seriously Fish lists general conditions of 20-30 C, pH 6.0-8.0 and hardness 90-357 ppm. Surface vegetation gives the male a place to build his nest, and dense planting offers the female refuge.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

The male constructs his nest within surface vegetation. Spawning normally occurs beneath the nest in an embrace typical of osphronemids, with the male wrapped around the female; Seriously Fish reports several hundred eggs are typically deposited. The eggs contain oil and float upward to the nest, often with male assistance.

Egg & Fry Care

Post-spawning the adults can normally be left in situ; the female is usually tolerated and may help defend the nest area. The eggs remain in the nest until yolk absorption is complete. Seriously Fish notes that when the fry swim freely the male loses interest, but the adults do not usually eat their offspring. Fry take an infusoria-grade food for the first few days, then motile foods such as microworm and Artemia nauplii.

Common Challenges

Although milder than its relatives, the male can still harass an unready female, so cover is needed. Because adults rarely eat free-swimming fry they may be left in place, but stable water quality and small frequent water changes remain important for fry growth.