I'm planning to house a pair of Polleni small spots in a 6' * 1.5' * 2' tank. Tips and pointers regarding the scaping, lighting, need for dithers etc, would be really helpful. I was thinking of a lot of river and slate rocks with a lot of wood/ branches. And getting rid of dithers altogether and compensating by making lot of hiding spaces for the female if the male turns aggressive. What do you think?.... Also any picture references from actual habitat?
Polleni biotope help needed....
- Thread starter kookiejar2
- Start date
Paratilapia may be found is swamps and lakes so substrate and decorations may be just about anything. I use large flat stones, clay pots and limestone. For substrate, pebbles or sand are fine. Sand is easier for the fish to dig a spawning pit. Best is to provide lots of hiding spaces, caves and plants that block direct sight help the female hide when shelter is necessary. Dithers are useful, I have used giant danios, rainbow fish and other cichlids. Small fish ideally will be prayed upon. Good luck.
I use sand, with large pieces of wood, and use smaller cichlids as dithers like Jose.
I have never been successful keeping them as pairs for long, but had better luck using 1 male with a number of females. I have 3 females and a male right now, with 4 smaller Herichthys bocourti, and 5 Paretroplus maculatus as tank mates, and aggression seems evenly spread. Any fish small enough for the Paratilapia to swallow, usually disappear (tried some tetras a while back, they have vanished)
I have never been successful keeping them as pairs for long, but had better luck using 1 male with a number of females. I have 3 females and a male right now, with 4 smaller Herichthys bocourti, and 5 Paretroplus maculatus as tank mates, and aggression seems evenly spread. Any fish small enough for the Paratilapia to swallow, usually disappear (tried some tetras a while back, they have vanished)
Paratilapia may be found is swamps and lakes so substrate and decorations may be just about anything. I use large flat stones, clay pots and limestone. For substrate, pebbles or sand are fine. Sand is easier for the fish to dig a spawning pit. Best is to provide lots of hiding spaces, caves and plants that block direct sight help the female hide when shelter is necessary. Dithers are useful, I have used giant danios, rainbow fish and other cichlids. Small fish ideally will be prayed upon. Good luck.
This is an amazing picture!
My paratilapia loves her cave, prefers subdued lighting and moves sand around constantly.
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Thanks a lot ciclasoman, duanes, LS2012. Some good tips there. From what I gather, dithers are quite a necessity in this sort of a set up. I'll keep updating the thread as things happen. As the tank is being made, I'm busy arranging for branchy wood and rocks and reading up as much as possible. Wanted to check for underwater images for Madagascar river for authenticity, but couldn't find any. So I'll stick with the advices given so far.
Also, since Polleni has a high PH adaptability, mixing dithers from different waters is a possibility I guess. I have used silver dollars for most of my tanks (they are great actually), wanted to use something colourful for this tank. Any ideas?...
Also, since Polleni has a high PH adaptability, mixing dithers from different waters is a possibility I guess. I have used silver dollars for most of my tanks (they are great actually), wanted to use something colourful for this tank. Any ideas?...
Jim (notho2000) posted this recently, you might want to check it out for river biotope ideas.
http://www.zslblogs.org/2013/12/27/in-search-of-the-mangarahara-cichlid/
The water is shallow enough that you really don't need underwater shots, just mimic what you see in the water, and along the river edges. I personally would stick to sand/small pebbles for substrate, some drift wood (Java wood would be perfect for this type of biotope) and a mix of large/med granite boulders. (not so much slate)
Depending on the personality of the fish, you may or may not require dithers, but might want a few target fish that will take some of the males attention away from the female. My juvie male has a king kong personality, and certainly doesn't require any dithers to keep him out & about.
http://www.zslblogs.org/2013/12/27/in-search-of-the-mangarahara-cichlid/
The water is shallow enough that you really don't need underwater shots, just mimic what you see in the water, and along the river edges. I personally would stick to sand/small pebbles for substrate, some drift wood (Java wood would be perfect for this type of biotope) and a mix of large/med granite boulders. (not so much slate)
Depending on the personality of the fish, you may or may not require dithers, but might want a few target fish that will take some of the males attention away from the female. My juvie male has a king kong personality, and certainly doesn't require any dithers to keep him out & about.
I find they don't do well in pairs as Duane mentioned since there is nothing to distract the male from the female. Years ago, before I knew better, I kept a pair in a 90G tank and his relentless pursuit of her resulted in her "holing up" in an inverted flowerpot virtually all of the time, until he finally got to her. They definitely do best in groups and growing up together. In my 180G, I have nine adults (3 males, 6 females) and they coexist beautifully. They are sharing the tank with two adult menarambo, one dambabe, three grandidieri and one oligacanthus. One big happy family. Oh, and three young CAs, P. breidohri that make great targets (I find the polleni pretty bold and outgoing so no real need for dithers). They were originally feeders that managed to escape that fate. Now they are an important (although not a necessary) part of the dynamic. Remarkably, I kept two young pair in a 50G for the better part of a year. I was keeping them for a friend who wanted them but for reasons beyond his control, he couldn't take them. The tank was absolutely bare except for two sponge filters. Each pair took an end and rarely were no real issues. They are now in the 180G. My tank decor consists of driftwood and largish river rock much as RD has suggested. At one time I had plastic plants to help break sight lines and define territories but I've since removed the plants with no detrimental effect. The tank needs a good water change but here's a pic or two.
Thanks RD., Aquadestroyer2 and Jim for the inputs. The tank is made, but I have some preoccupation this week, so a bit of delay in setting it up. Moreover still trying to get a good deal on the stand/ lights etc. Will update as soon as I set it up. Thanks to MFK, I 'm getting some great advice!
BTW Jim, awesome specimens in your tank! Your polleni videos on youtube are a huge inspiration!
BTW Jim, awesome specimens in your tank! Your polleni videos on youtube are a huge inspiration!