Polleni/Bleekeri in a CA Community

[Skurj]

I have a 2" polleni currently in the beginnings of a somewhat aggressive CA community. There are 2 residents bigger than he is, but they are temporary (my female ellioti, and an alto comp rescue). The tank is a 180gallon, and the plan eventually/hopefully is a female festae, RTM, Cuban, nourissati, robertsoni, a colony of ellioti and the odd catfish/bn.

Now as far as the Polleni goes... I picked this one from 3 I originally had, this one was the dominant fish, but of course since I separated the group, he doesn't colour up as much. For long term would I be better off adding 2-3 others to the community as well? Or if they breed do I risk even more potential trouble than the planned stock list already presents? I read that conspecific can get nasty but that they are better kept in small groups to spread aggression like typical Africans.

This fish was also labelled a bleekeri in the chain store I got him/her from, which is not reliable... anyway to tell bleekeri from polleni? I have read bleekeri can get bigger, and are more interactive ala oscarlike.. mine certainly shows some character and certainly isn't shy.

 

[ciclasoman]

You are correct, Paratilapia are aggressive towards conspecifics and leave all other fish alone unless they can be eaten. Ideally large groups do better than small groups but it's difficult logistically to have a colony of 8 adult fish. Various Paratilapia species are said to grow larger than others, I can't prove that as most grow to similar extent. The males will always get fully colored if there is another Paratilapia to chase around.
The number of species if Paratilapia has grown significantly, Paul Loiselle is the expert and responsible for a lot of work being done with this genus, currently, and I'm sure I'm out if date, there are over 8 species. Paratilapia bleekeri has not been in the hobby despite the indiscriminate use of the name, see the 2004 IUCN assessment (http://intranet.iucn.org/webfiles/doc/SpeciesProg/FBU/IUCN_Madagascar_freshwater_fish_2004.pdf).
The plan mix of species should be fine, I think Paratilapia may have mixed feelings for haitensis and possibly against the tetracanthus, though I've never mixed those particular species so it'd be nice to hear how it works out.

 

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

I have 3 in my tank, one male is fully grown, next one is 8" and then a 5". They leave each other alone for the most part.

 

[Skurj]

Hmm well the lone paratilapia dive bombs the swordtails in the tank.. he/she will hover around the top of the tank and do vertical dives down occasionally at passing swords beneath him. I had him with the 4 Cubans 2 other paratilapia and a mayan in a 20g (they were all similar size at around 1.5". WHen I introduced the mayan it was very aggressive towards everyone else, but then I guess they learned his tricks until the pollen decided he was the boss and he became the aggressor. He still likes to chase the Cubans around abit can't recall if I have seen him doing the same to the RTM.

 

[tanyaelec11]

I cannot have my two paratilapia species in with each other it creates havoc. But they do well with others . They are a wonderful species and are by far my favorite. my polleni is in with a Cuban ,myan, female jag . They all get along great . My bleekri pair are in with a hartweigi , brehordi (spelling is bad ) . and they are great together . its been over a year.

 

[Skurj]

I managed to find the 2 I took back to the LFS. They hadn't sold, no wonder due to them keeping them in a tank not easily viewed. The change in the one I kept was instantaneous from the moment I floated the bag. It is now as black as I have ever seen it. I am going to see if I can find a couple more of the same size and see how a group of 5 works. I'll have to keep a close eye on the tank as the larger couple of the 6 RTM will soon be closing on the same size.

 

[notho2000]

IME, P. polleni are best kept in groups (4+) in a fairly large (150-180G) tank, and if raised together will achieve a 'dynamic equilibrium. This is assuming you have the appropriate structure present to allow some territoriality and isolation to occur. Here's pics of around 20- 3-4"ers that I raised up together from a spawn. They never bothered one another in this somewhat crowded condition. It was a bare 55G. I have on occasion had them mixed with CAs. In fact, I have a trio (1M, 2F) that are in a 70G with several CAs (T. affinis, P. sp. Coatzacoalcos, Hoduran Redpoints), and they are doing quite fine. They are the dominant fish in the tank but don't harass the others very much ...at least not to the point of doing damage to them. I'm holding these for a friend and I have no other place for them. Hopefully he will take them soon.