There are no blue paradise fish in nature, they are a cultivated form with a blue back (vs. red-brown in the wild form). When exactly and in whom the first blue paradise fish appeared is not documented. It must have been in the late 1940s or early 1950s, because from then on they were mentioned in the aquaristic literature.
We currently have very beautiful, fully grown specimens of the blue form in stock, some of which truly deserve the name “paradise fish”. Since paradise fish are rather quarrelsome, one rarely sees adult males that do not show any fin damage, because the large fins – especially the caudal fin – are the target in ranking fights. Missing pieces of fins grow back, but for a while many paradise fish males look a little plucked, which of course reduces their aesthetic value.
Our current blues are a laudable exception. Obviously the breeder has not only attached importance to good looks, but also to peaceful behaviour; because behaviour is inherited in fish similar to colouring and certain behaviours can be intensified or restricted by appropriate breeding choices.
For our customers: the animals have code 425804 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
