The Blue Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis)

The Blue Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis) is a strikingly colorful and versatile labyrinth fish that happens to be the fish that started the indoor home aquarium hobby in the 19th century.

It is widespread across both lowland and highland streams, swamps, and rice fields throughout much of Southeast Asia, China, and Taiwan and it has been introduced to waterways of several other countries as well.

Like all labyrinth fish, it possesses an air-breathing organ that supplements its gills and allows it to live in aquatic areas that are stagnant and low in oxygen content.