I bought a Bleaker (which I think actually looks more like a Polleni) yesterday, and while it was definitely black in the store's tank, after almost 24 hours in my tank, i's definitely brown. it went pale grey as soon as the store salesperson bagged it, due to stress. Which I get, but by now I would have thought it would have turned to back to black. Anyone help me explain this and what I can do about it?
My Pale Starry Night
- Thread starter sbaraldi
- Start date
There are a umber of reasons a cichlid loses color.
If your substrate is very light (white, or yellow) many cichlids will try to blend in.
The dark color in Paratilapia is a dominance trait, so if the Para was put in a tank with 1 or more dominant cichlids, it will stay light in order to not get picked on by an alpha.
After only 24 hours it could still be quite stressed.
The name bleaker may not be a legitimate name, and many species of Paratilapia are often lumped into bleakeri, especially if they have larger spots.
Here is a dominant Paratilapia sp Andapa, in a tank with lots of dark wood
Here a small spot polleni, also in a 6ft tank with lots of cover, and 3 females tp dominate
If your substrate is very light (white, or yellow) many cichlids will try to blend in.
The dark color in Paratilapia is a dominance trait, so if the Para was put in a tank with 1 or more dominant cichlids, it will stay light in order to not get picked on by an alpha.
After only 24 hours it could still be quite stressed.
The name bleaker may not be a legitimate name, and many species of Paratilapia are often lumped into bleakeri, especially if they have larger spots.
Here is a dominant Paratilapia sp Andapa, in a tank with lots of dark wood
Here a small spot polleni, also in a 6ft tank with lots of cover, and 3 females tp dominate
Thanks, very helpful reply. Mine definitely has smaller spots. My substrate is primarily white rocks, so that may be it. I'll give it a couple days and if he doesn't darken I may ask for an exchange. Thanks again.
Thanks. My Starry Night has already darkened. It just took him a few days. Sometimes he still goes back to brownish... I wasn't aware how much their color varies. Such a cool fish! The owner of the store I go to said the same thing as you. Fortunately the back of my tank is painted black.
Awesome good to hear. They're incredible fish, does your have a really bold personality too? Mine is amphilophus-esque, more Oscar like in all reality as I don't think he would actually hurt another fish. He's just a bully lol
I've only had him 2 weeks, but so far he seems pretty docile. He's the biggest fish in the tank, but only asserts himself when the food comes out. 
These are great fish, mine is about 5.5" and loves to go at the gravel vac and my fingers. Huge personalities!