Polleni VS. Bleekeri

[Cfremont23]

Hello cichlid enthusiasts, I have had my paratilapia polleni for about 9 months and I had completely forgot that there is a paratilapia bleekeri and I was wondering if anyone knew the difference.

 

[stiker]

Hello cichlid enthusiasts, I have had my paratilapia polleni for about 9 months and I had completely forgot that there is a paratilapia bleekeri and I was wondering if anyone knew the difference.

I am not super well versed with Malagasy cichlids so I’m sure someone more versed will chime in. But from what I have been told it has been determined these are the actually the same species, just different populations/ catch locales, with one have larger spotting over the body and the other smaller

 

[Milingu]

There is no Paratilapia bleekeri because P. bleekeri is a synonym of P. polleni.
But there are several varieties from different locations and some of them might be undescribed species.

 

[Cfremont23]

There is no Paratilapia bleekeri because P. bleekeri is a synonym of P. polleni.
But there are several varieties from different locations and some of them might be undescribed species.

Ohhh ok thank you for the clarification.

 

[duanes]

There are al least 5 recognized species of Paratilapia, but many are known by location, and species status is in review
P polleni Bleeker 1868
P typus location East Coast 1878
P sp betsleo
P sp Ambalvao
P andapa
and there may be more, and although they all may seem to look similar, when looked at in detail they are not
I have kept at least two, the obvious differences are in size, arrangement and colors of spots.
There are many photos of mine in this Madagascar section.
I acquired my first Paratilapia back in the late 80s
The reason i say at least two, is because the difference in species was not noted back in the 80s when they first arrive on the scene, and inadvertently cross bred, producing aquarium strain hybrids.

 

[Cfremont23]

There are al least 5 recognized species of Paratilapia, but many are known by location, and species status is in review
P polleni Bleeker 1868
P typus location East Coast 1878
P sp betsleo
P sp Ambalvao
P andapa
and there may be more, and although they all may seem to look similar, when looked at in detail they are not
I have kept at least two, the obvious differences are in size, arrangement and colors of spots.
There are many photos of mine in this Madagascar section.
I acquired my first Paratilapia back in the late 80s
The reason i say at least two, is because the difference in species was not noted back in the 80s when they first arrive on the scene, and inadvertently cross bred, producing aquarium strain hybrids.

Ok cool thanks for the answer I'm going to look at it now

 

[Rocksor]

P. bleekeri can no longer be caught because it doesn’t exist in the location it was discovered, so the only information they have came from 1882 Sauvage

 

[duanes]

here is Paratilpia andapa.

now P. polleni sp small spot

Obviously quite different

 

[Cfremont23]

here is Paratilpia andapa.
View attachment 1433725
now P. polleni sp small spot
View attachment 1433726
Obviously quite different

yes very much, and are those yours?

 

[duanes]

yes very much, and are those yours?

They were, back around 2014.