Polleni ID please

[tdkee1]

Just picked this guy up. I think its a male big spot "bleekeri" polleni but just want to confirm this please. Size is about 10" or so. Thanks!


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[tdkee1]

Pics at LFS labeled as Polleni.


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[duanes]

Beautiful specimen.
There is some discussion on whether the name bleekeri is valid.
And because there may be as many as half dozen different species, from different locations in Madagascar, it is hard to pin point.
here is Paratilapia polleni "small spot"

Paratilapia sp "Andapa"

and a LFS aquarium strain, which may be a hybrid from before the realization of how many different species of Paratilapia there are.

 

[notho2000]

Yours is closest to Paratilapia sp. Andapa. Here are a couple of pics of mine, obtained from Jose Gonzales (ciclasoman) from San Antonio.

 

[tdkee1]

Ok thanks. So is a Andapa a "big spot" polleni? Hope so because i just picked up a 5" small spot polleni today for my other tank so I could have one of each.

Here it is with smaller spots. Will it get blacker as it gets older? Just got done acclimating it.


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[notho2000]

AFAIK, the Andapa is a scientifically undescribed Paratilapia, the andapa designation indicating its geographical collection point. It is premature to give it the species name 'polleni'. In the past, it was most likely referred to as Paratilapia bleekeri or more recently Paratilapia polleni 'large spot', but presently, Paratilapia sp. Andapa. The size of the spots is becoming irrelevant since several other populations exist (old habits die hard). Having said that, I have two Paratilapia polleni species, one called east coast and the other maralambo. They are both small spotted varieties compared to the andapa. Here are two pics of the 'east coast' and one of some juvenile maralambo.

 

[tdkee1]

Thanks! That really cleared things up for me. You guys have some beautiful looking fish by the way.


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[tdkee1]

Found another pic of him from the LFS tank.


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[notho2000]

A nice looking male.

 

[tanyaelec11]

That's a very nice score ! To me it looks more of a andapa. I have two different strains of paratilapia and I love every single one even though the "bleekri" attempts to bite me every time I try to do "inside" tank work. First picture is the male "bleekri" aka hand biter .