Tank mates for a Bleekeri

[ewurm]

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

I have never heard that before. Can you link to any documentation? That would be helpful.

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

I've seen them with CA's but also in tanks with frontosas, and also with larger haps.

 

[Bderick67]

I've seen them with CA's but also in tanks with frontosas, and also with larger haps.

I kept my 8" polleni(very closely related) with my SA/CA cichlids. The polleni was very territorial and would chase all that got near him. Problem was that he couldn't go with my large Red devil or jack dempsey and got punked. He is now in a tank of his own with a RD/blood parrot mix. They think they are a couple

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

I kept my 8" polleni(very closely related) with my SA/CA cichlids. The polleni was very territorial and would chase all that got near him. Problem was that he couldn't go with my large Red devil or jack dempsey and got punked. He is now in a tank of his own with a RD/blood parrot mix. They think they are a couple

I have a polleni too, and I keep it with SA and a few smaller CA's too. I would consider the aggression more than say, an oscar, but less than even dempseys. Either way not a particularly aggressive fish, but can generally hold its own with most SA and smaller CA's

 

[wannaarro]

I've had my small spot for near on two years. Slow growing for me, their rates seem to vary; can get to 14 inches. Conspecific agression for sure; he also beat the crap out of my biggest severum male. Awesome fish, and really beautiful. Seems they vary from individual to individual as to how they interact with other species; general concensus is, they beat each other up like a big dog!!
The members of this group are some of the most knowlegeable in the world in regards to Malagasy fishes.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/madfish/

picture thread:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1312

Good article from sister site:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95240

 

[ksfishguy]

I bought a bleekeri yesterday in Kansas City. Yes, he has large spots and is absolutely beautiful. I had to take out a number of fish in my tank, he did not do well with my female JD and female Midas or my GT. With that said, I think it was more a problem of trying to add a new fish to an established tank. I made the decision before I bought him that if it didn't work out I would remove some of my other fish to make a home for this incredible, rare and endangered fish.

I will take some pics this weekend and start a new thread.