Paratilapia polleni advice

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shroob88

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 25, 2008
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Sheffield
Hi,

I'm thinking of having a change around in my 'show' tank, that currently houses an oscar as a wet pet. The imputus is that i would really like a planted or at least semi planted aquarium as its in the main living room, however the oscar doesn't allow this.

I'm thinking about getting a Paratilapia polleni, possibly a pair. They apparently fit the bill of being attractive and interactive from what little I've read so far about them. The tanks 40"x22"x24" so I think theres enough room. However I'm unsure how they are with plants, I've read some accounts saying that lone fish don't bother plants but pairs will - if so I have no problem keeping a single show fish - if that is the case any suggestions on tankmates? Preferably other madagascan fish to try and stick to a loose biotope theme - but other suggestions welcomed.

Also, how outgoing are these fish - I don't want a fish that will hide all day and cower behind ornaments.

Any other comments on this fish would also be appreciated, like tips or personal experiences.

Thanks all.
 
the issue i see is that if you want an alternative to oscars, polleni aren't your best choice, as they are very similar to me in behavior and care
 
As a single fish or pair polleni can be quite skittish. I believe you would need dithers or other more outgoing cichlids to keep them out of this mode. They can also be very hard on each other, in a small tank . If you have a pair, and the female doesn't feel like breeding, he "will" shred, and or kill her.
I've had Paratilapia hunt down and kill other less dominent of their own kind in 6ft tanks
As for plants it's a toss up, many cichlids that are not known to bother them, will tear a tank up if bored. Left alone, with nothing else to do, ripping up plants would be an outlet.
lastgame038.jpg

They also seem to go into fasting protests as the they older, without some kind of stimulation.
I know this all sounds a bit anthropomorphic, but I don't know how else to put it.
After an adult male I had, killed its mate, I gave him to a friend, who said, after he put it in a tank be itself, it stuck its head in a flowerpot, and hardly ever came out, for months on end.
 
I went a head and bought the fish yesterday evening, having thought about it I decided its a fish I would like to keep. I only got the one, the stand out one for sure.

So it seems you are recommending I get other fish as this might help with the plant situation. How does adding a sajica or some more typical dither fish such as larger danios or rainbows? Any other suggestions appreciated

Thanks,
Shroob
 
If you wanted to be geographically correct, you'd try Madagascar rainbow fish, but any of the ones you suggested would be fine as long as they're too big to be swallowed.
In my experience Paratilapia are not adept piscovores though.
 
I have madagascar rainbows in with my polleniis. Have them in other tanks, but they are intentionally overcrowded to minimize targeted aggression. Rainbows are effective dithers and the polleniis can't catch them. One Pollenii in a tank should be very interactive with you. Later he'll be so interactive that his territorial behavior may leave your arms bleeding after in-tank maintenance LOL. Leave well enough alone and don't give him other cichlids, just a couple of very well anchored plants and some gravel to move around. Just my experience, good luck, they get really gorgeous.
 
a cichlid like sajica would also be a decent tankmates from my limited experiece, I've housed mine for years with a firemouth and a few other relatively small cichlids with no significant issue
 
I have my Polleni with dats, polypterus, geos, and loaches. It did not bother the plants while it was in a planted tank.
 
They do like to hide a bit and they're prone to move sand or rocks around when they're in the mood. But they are a great and very beautiful fish. Probably my favorite of the many I own.
 
I have a Paratilapia Polleni and they are an extremely interesting fish to watch.

The only problem i have with mine is he is quite aggressive at times. He never digs plants up or really physically attacks the other fish he is with, he just lets the other fish he is with that he is the boss :headbang2 :lol3:

But i will say that with age his behaviour has changed a fair amount!
 
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