How to Breed Black Paradise Fish

The black paradise fish is a variety of paradise fish, which have striking long fins and tails. The coloring of the black paradise fish gives it a dramatic look. These fish are quite hardy, living in many environments other types of tropical fish can't handle. Paradise fish are a type of fish called anabantids, which breathe air from the surface of the water. These fish can be easy to keep, and easy to breed, too, if you're careful with the fish and provide the correct conditions for spawning.

Things You'll Need

  • Breeding aquarium
  • Aquarium divider
  • Aquarium plants
  • High quality fish food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a male and female fish to breed. Male black paradise fish have longer tails and fins, as well brighter colors, than females. Females have rounded, shorter fins.

    • 2

      Provide a breeding aquarium for the fish. Separate the aquarium into two sections using a translucent aquarium divider. Place several aquarium plants on both sides of the aquarium. These will provide hiding places for the female after spawning. Choose a water filter with a very low current, or don't use a filter at all. Paradise fish prefer to breed in still water.

    • 3

      Place the female on one side of the divider, and place the male on the other side.

    • 4

      Feed the female a good amount of nutritious food. This can include a nutritious flake food, as well as live, frozen, or freeze-dried insects, such as bloodworms. This will give her the nutrients she needs to start producing eggs.

    • 5

      Watch the male fish. If he is interested in the female, he will build a nest of bubbles. This is where the eggs will stay until they hatch.

    • 6

      Remove the aquarium divider once the male has constructed his bubble nest.

    • 7

      Wait for the black paradise fish to spawn. The male will entice the female towards the bubble nest. They will then spawn, wrapping around each other. The female releases the eggs as the male releases the sperm. This spawning may occur several times. After each spawn, the male scoops up the eggs in his mouth and places them safely in the bubble nest.

    • 8

      Watch the breeding fish carefully. When they're done spawning, the male will chase the female fish away from the nest. It's very important to remove the female from the aquarium, placing her back in her own aquarium, at this point. If you don't, the male may become aggressive, and could harm or kill the female.

    • 9

      Leave the male in the breeding aquarium. He will care for the eggs, and the baby fish, for some time after they hatch. Remove him from the breeding aquarium only after the baby fish start to swim by themselves.