[1] This species was first discovered in Hong Kong,[2] but later was found in other areas of southern China.

[3] It is found in mountainous regions as well as lowland habitats.

This species grows to a length of more than 10 cm.

Like other Macropodus, M. hongkongensis is popular among Chinese fish keepers and is called "Hong Kong black paradise fish (Traditional Chinese:香港黑叉尾鬥魚 or HK黑).

This fish is easy to keep and breed in aquariums but has a reputation for being unusually aggressive.