The fork tailed paradisefish (often just called paradise fish, paradise-fish, paradisefish), or paradise gourami (Macropodus opercularis) is a species of gourami found in most types of fresh water in East Asia, ranging from the China to northern Vietnam.

During a fight, the paradise fish will often change its color, usually displaying dark blue lateral lines on the sides of their bodies; extend its fins; and spread out its operculum.

Most forms of active teaching seem to hinder the paradise fish's ability to learn the movements of its owner via careful observation.

In Taiwan, the native populations of paradise fish have been reduced to low levels by pollution in the rivers, and are now listed as a threatened species.

The local population of yellow fever mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) has since increased in the absence of one of its main predators.

The infection rate for dengue fever has subsequently increased in the human population, caused in part by to the lack of natural mosquito predators.

If this is the case they will not even attempt to fight and will take to hiding behind filters, plants, or in décor, and will succumb to stress eating and diarrhoea.

After spawning, the male may violently attack his mate or any other fish that might approach the new fertilized eggs or hatched fry, which are both a common source of food in the natural habitat.