Macropodus ocellatus Cantor, 1842
Round tail paradisefish
Macropodus ocellatus
photo by Hippocampus-Bildarchiv

Family:  Osphronemidae (Gouramies), subfamily: Macropodusinae
Max. size:  8.6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 7.5; dH range: 5 - 25; depth range - 0 m
Distribution:  Asia: China, Japan and Korea between the rivers Zhujiang (Pearl river) and Heilongjiang (River Amur). Europe: occurrence in the Russian part of Amur basin is probably the result of introductions. Many authors refer to this species by its old name Macropodus chinensis, but see Ref. 42237.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-9; Anal spines: 15-20; Anal soft rays: 7-15; Vertebrae: 27-29. Caudal fin rounded; lower margin of preorbital weakly serrated, embedded under skin (Ref. 559). Stripe crossing eye not connecting spot on posterior projection of opercle with eye; posterior dorsal-fin rays filamentous behind vertical of posterior anal-fin rays in adults; 6-13 gill rakers on ceratobranchial of first arch; posterior tip of margin of scales on body not darker than scales (Ref. 42924).
Biology:  Biology similar to Macropodus opercularis. Reported to be well-adapted to low winter temperatures (4-25°C); adults and juveniles (about 1.5 cm SL), are sometimes active under ice cover (E. Willems pes.comm. 11/12).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 January 2023 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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