Spiketail Paradisefish Pseudosphromenus cupanus

Paradisefish are gouramis - they have a labyrinth organ enabling them to breathe air. The Spiketail is native to heavily-vegetated and slow-moving water of southern India and Sri Lanka.

They grow to some 6cm long. Females have roundish tails whereas male paradisefish can grow very elaborate collapsible and expandable long tails used for display and courting. The Spiketail, as its name indicates, has a spike-shaped tail, both collapsed and when fanned out for display.