Polleni Personality?

I'm really debating on starting up a 75 gallon tank just for a Paratilapia Polleni, but i was wondering what your guy's experiences have been with them.

How are they personality wise? Do they grow attached to their owner and allow you to hand feed? Aggressive? Can they stand tankmates?

I was thinking of getting a 75 with a couple pairs of kribs or jewels with lots of small cave work done and then have enough open space for a Polleni as my showpiece. I really love the look of these guys but i haven't really heard many people talk about them or a heck of a lot of people even owning them, but they must since they are so cheap and so damn gorgeous.

Any help please?

I knew they got big, but i was hoping i could get a couple breeding pairs of kribs established in the rock work first and then introduce a smaller polleni.

So you are saying either alone or with larger less aggressive tankmates? hmmm i don't know if i want to give a tank to a single fish unless i have to.

Also you say they can't defend themselves against jewels? I could see maybe when the polleni was smaller and the jewels were breeding but a foot long cichlid getting pushed around by 3" jewels?

lostnight;2015614; said:

Personaly, I think it might work, can never be sure though. As long as you have a backup plan, I would try and fulfill your vision of how you want your aquarium to be.

Pollenis can be bullies if given the chance. But I haven't seen them turn into killers, ususally just a brief little chase. They aren't the greatest brawlers, they can lose their rank in the heirarchy eventually. Mine will take krill from my fingers, and he does not seem to go after feeder fish. Here is a pic of him (or her).

I say go after your vision, it doesn't sound too off the wall to me. A lot of this hobby is experimentation.

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thanks i may try this once i locate a cheap tank that i can pickup. First i'll try cheap kribs but if it works out i might bring in some rarer pelvichromis and breed them in a 10 gallon and throw a batch of slightly grown out fry in the tank.