Paratilapia polleni questions 4 the experienced
- Thread starter Ogrim
- Start date
Just wrapping up this thread 
I have ended up selling 3 of the 4 Paratilapia sp. East Coast small spot or also refereed to as Polleni after a year of growing/keeping
As they grew they developed more spots & they got darker as well. Apparently it takes up to 12 to 18 months for the species to become sexually mature. I think all 4 turned out to be male
The larger males ended up fighting at night or when I was not home, because I have find scales in the tank & spotted where they were missing from. So a large tank is a must & once they mature or pair up the rest should be removed from the tank not just isolated.
The new pair needs minimum 4 foot as territory etc. Also the females need lots of places to be able to hide in from the chauvinist male who will rule them & basically pin them in the corner of the aquarium till they ready to spawn if there is not enough space.
So I got left with one handsome male Polleni & might get a female, one day for him if he behaves & I can afford her
I love it when he breaks up fights, that turn into lip-locking between the Firemouts
Thanks for your input & comments
Cheers & HNY2U
I have ended up selling 3 of the 4 Paratilapia sp. East Coast small spot or also refereed to as Polleni after a year of growing/keeping
As they grew they developed more spots & they got darker as well. Apparently it takes up to 12 to 18 months for the species to become sexually mature. I think all 4 turned out to be male
The larger males ended up fighting at night or when I was not home, because I have find scales in the tank & spotted where they were missing from. So a large tank is a must & once they mature or pair up the rest should be removed from the tank not just isolated.
The new pair needs minimum 4 foot as territory etc. Also the females need lots of places to be able to hide in from the chauvinist male who will rule them & basically pin them in the corner of the aquarium till they ready to spawn if there is not enough space.
So I got left with one handsome male Polleni & might get a female, one day for him if he behaves & I can afford her
I love it when he breaks up fights, that turn into lip-locking between the Firemouts
Thanks for your input & comments
Cheers & HNY2U
The males are generally much larger than the females. Their color does not turn to the black until they are at least one sometimes bordering on two. Hope you get the chance to breed these guys as they are very rewarding to watch.
