Blue Paradise Gourami (Macropodus opercularis)

Macropodus opercularis has a real claim to being the single most historically important aquarium fish in the West, the first ornamental species ever kept and bred widely by European hobbyists after being imported from China in 1869, decades before neons or bettas made it into the trade. That head start came with real hardiness, it tolerates cooler water and rougher conditions than most gouramis, though it also runs more territorial and can get scrappy with its own kind or slower tankmates. A genuine piece of aquarium history in a bold blue-striped package.

Care level: Easy · Temperament: Semi-aggressive with own kind · Max size: ~4.5" · Min tank: 30 gal · Diet: Omnivore, flake/pellet + frozen