Polleni popularity

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wiseoldowl

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 21, 2010
29
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Oakland Md.
Anyone have an opinion why polleni's not more popular.
I hit all the best lfs in a 100 mile radius of where I live and have only saw them one time. Got a pair and am now breeding them. Awesome fish in my opinion. Great
personenailty and great look.
 
I imagine a lot has to do with the fact that they are not eye-catching to a beginner the way other big cichlids like red devils and oscars are. They can generally be acquired quite easily if the LFS is willing to do so for you, as they are generally available
 
They are not real common for one thing. A run of the mill pet store will seldom have them or any other fish from madagascar. Plus at a small size they are not real colorful and will probably not sell real well. As adults they are stunning though.
 
I think they are great. It took a year for me to find mine. Even then they had them labeled as large spots and not polleni. I feel they are striking fish for newbies and old heads. Just have to feed them popper omnivore diet and give some tang food as a treat. Black background with flakes in it. They add contrast to any tank. I feel one must challenge their fish dealer to get the cool odd stuff in from time to time; and stop getting boring old bread an butter stuff in.
 
Maybe they have someone in the market place that can get them for you. have you posted a wanted ad yet ?
 
I agree that it might be because it takes a while for them to color up. When they're small you can't tell that they're going to grow into a beautiful fish with amazing colors. They're my favorite next to the Green Terror.
 
I adopted a baby Polleni with a blind eye 4 years ago from a local pet store. He's in my community african tank with over 40 africans. He is the statesmen of the tank...never chases, never eats fry (I have like 5 or 6 generations), and is gorgeous. I think his handicap forced him into a mellow giant. He has the personality of an oscar without the desire to eat all his little tank mates
 
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