Tank mates for a Bleekeri

[Bllib]

So I came across this cool looking fish called a Paralelapia Bleekeri. They guy at the store told me that he was aggressive so I bought him his very own 30 gallon tank. He's still small maybe 3 inches long. Does anyone have any ideas of what else I could put in with him? By the way he is not only aggressive but pretty rare. If anybody has any more info on this guy I would love to hear it. Including where I might be able to buy another for breeding.

 

[thefishguy7]

Jeff Rapps has them at tangledupincichlids.com You'll need a bigger tank, especially if you decide to breed them. There's all sorts of fish you can keep with them, what kind of fish are you looking for? (bottom dweller, surface fish, schooling fish, catfish?)

 

[Bllib]

I am not sure yet. I would like maybe some sort of schooling fish. I am a bit concerned about the size tank that he's in now. I am worried that he might be very territorial. That fish in your pict there is that a sun fish?? Is he fresh water. I think that is one of the most beautiful fishes I have ever seen!!!! And yes I know if I breed I would need about a 150 gallon tank.

 

[robkob]

I have one that's about 4-5", and he is not territorial and has not shown any aggression towards his tankmates. In fact, he's a timid wimp. He runs when anybody comes near. He's one of my favorite fish though.

 

[Bllib]

Do you have larger fish in with him? I am just really leary cause the guy at the store made such a big deal about how aggressive he was. I know for a fact that there was another Bleekeri in with him that stayed at the top of the tank. It never moved until it was sold.

 

[ewurm]

I have one with two dats that are similar sized, no problems so far.

 

[Cross127]

Mine is about 4" got him a couple weeks ago and mines with a 3/4" female convict. He is very peaceful and doesn't even chase the little con. They actually swim side by side all day long and are a wonderful pair of fish ( not breeding lol). They can be kept with many many other cichlids. I have seen them SA cichlids like Acaras, GS, Geo's and such and even with big Guapote. Their water params aren't far off of CA waters but a little sketchy on SA water being that most of the water there is Black water with pH's ranging from 5.8- 6.8. You can keep them with some other african cichlids from Malawi or such. They are a very versitile fish when it comes to compatibility. You may even want to keep a Butti with one. Your Bleekeri is a decent fish but the color on it hasn't developed yet I know around the 3" mark they don't look like much but when they get to about 4" they develope deep black coloration and the spots should turn blue and a deep gold. I really don't think you have a Bleekeri I pretty sure you have a Polleni. The spots are just way to small. I will try to get pics of mine up so I can show you. Mine is much fatter than yours though. He has a huge belly almost FH lookin without the hump.

 

[Bllib]

I actually agree with you on the polleni. I did a lot of internet searching and I think he looks more like a polleni. I took the photos to the store to show the guy there but he insisted that the colors are to dark to be a polleni so I guess we will see as he or it gets bigger. I would love to see your picts!!

 

[thefishguy7]

For tank mates I'd do a poly with a shoal of silver dollars. You can also try other cichlids.

By the way, the fish in my avatar is freshwater. pm'ed you.

 

[ciclasoman]

Hi
Paratilapia bleekeri is not available in the hobby because it has not been collected from the same location where it got first described- the species itself will be redescribed soon- there are several- most are described as polleni for the time being- the fish itself is a good tankmate as long as no other Paratilapia share the same tank- aggression is high with fish of same species so a large tank is a must if interested in breeding them; however, there are multipl reports of spawns in 50 gallon tanks with multiple, multiple hidding places.
Good luck