Polleni tank mates

[ZafarKB]

Hi there, I have just bought a small polleni from the lfs for my 55 gallon tank as I have just moved it’s previous occupants to my sisters tank, however I was wondering what tank mates it could have as he is they only one in there. His tank mates don’t have to be other cichlids however i would prefer them to be (not strongly though).
Thanks

 

[duanes]

Paratilapia are usually OK with cichlids that don't look like they do, and fish they cannot swallow.
They are fairly inept as predators, but in a small tank like a 55, nothing small has enough spsce to get away.

If your Paratilapia is young, the 55 may work for a while, but it will soon outgrow the tank.
I kept mine with other non-similar Madagasy cichlids like Paretroplus without aggression in 100+ gallon tanks.

 

[ZafarKB]

Hi there,
What size tank are we talking about as I live in the UK and from what I understand, tanks cost more over here? I read that they are good in a 55 gallon, but aggression varies on the fish- as with oscars.
Thanks

 

[ZafarKB]

Would a bichir work?

 

[james99]

I would think a 75 gallon would be bare minimum. Mine stayed in a 55 until he was about 4", in that time he tried to eat or kill everything with him. He's in a 125 now with haps and peacocks, but I'm pretty sure he's responsible for the damage I'm seeing on other fish.

 

[ZafarKB]

I’m so sorry, I forgot to mention I’m working in uk gallons which is 250l, would he still be ok if he was alone?

 

[duanes]

My Paratilapia males have almost all grown to over 12" (except females) so I consider a 6 ft tank of at least 375 liters (100 gallons) minimal, if there are to be any other fish in the tank.
I would think a Paratilapia would ignore a bichir, but I don't have any personal experience with that.
I tried to keep 2 Paratilapia together in a 1500 liter pool, and as you can see below, it didn't work.

In the shot above both were at least 12".

 

[Gabriel_Martucci]

I have kept them with Oscars, Eels, bichirs, Clown knifes, Catfish and Plecos. When mine was small I kept him with some barbs but they get older the get more aggressive. A 55 should be good as it gets older, I keep mine in a 65 without a problem. If I where you I would probably pair him with a medium sized catfish or bichir.