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Spiketail paradisefish (Pseudosphromenus dayi) — Osphronemidae

Spiketail paradisefish

Pseudosphromenus dayi
Family: Osphronemidae

The Spiketail paradisefish (Pseudosphromenus dayi) is a brackish-water fish of the family Osphronemidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The spiketail paradisefish is a small labyrinth fish (Osphronemidae) from fresh and slightly brackish water of southwestern India and Sri Lanka. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, red-brown body with fine longitudinal lines and a tapering tail. Thanks to a labyrinth organ it can gulp air in oxygen-poor water. The male builds a bubble nest, often in a cavity, and guards the eggs. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spiketail paradisefish?

The Spiketail paradisefish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Spiketail paradisefish live?

The Spiketail paradisefish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Spiketail paradisefish get?

The Spiketail paradisefish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Spiketail paradisefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spiketail paradisefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spitsstaart-paradijsvis sourced
English name
Spiketail paradisefish sourced
Scientific name
Pseudosphromenus dayi
Family
Osphronemidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pseudosphromenus

More from the family Osphronemidae

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