Breeding the red-finned paradise fish
Bubble-nester. The male builds the nest in floating plants; the female is usually tolerated and may help guard it, and adults do not usually eat the fry.
Step by step
One conditioned pair in a planted tank.
40 L planted tank with floating plants.
Live food and warming.
Several hundred floating eggs per spawn; fry need infusoria-sized food for the first few days, then microworm or Artemia nauplii.
Infusoria then baby brine shrimp.
- Heavy flow
- Keeping with small fish
Male or female
Males are larger than females and have extended soft rays in the dorsal, anal and tail fins.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Keep only one male in the breeding tank.
- Good for a first breeding project.
Day-by-day plan
Typical for bubble-nest builders
- 10 days beforeCondition and introduce
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
- Day 0Spawning under the nest
The male wraps the female and places eggs in the nest. Remove the female after spawning.
- Day 2Eggs hatch
Eggs hatch in 24–48 hours. The male catches falling fry and returns them to the nest.
- Day 4Free swimming
Remove the male. Feed infusoria and keep the air above the water warm and humid.
- Day 10Baby brine shrimp
Move on to baby brine shrimp and microworms. Change small amounts of water daily.
- Day 56Separate males
Males start fighting at about 8 weeks and need their own jars.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Simulator: guided
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
Simulator: try it yourself
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
- Without live or frozen food the parents aren't in breeding condition.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.