Marakely
Alternative Name(s): Black Fish
Scientific Name(s): Paratilapia polleni (bleekeri)
Category: Cichlid
Difficulty:
Maximum Size: 28cms
Minimum Tank Volume: 320 litres
Minimum Tank Size: 60" x 18" x 18"
Water Temperature Range: 24-28°C
Water pH Range: 6.5-8.0
Water Hardness Range: 8-25 dGH
General Information: A beautiful fish from Madagascar, but unfortunately is now on the IUCN red list of endangered species. Black background with varying sized spots of blues and silver. The spots differ in size across fish, and this is thought to be due to variations in geographical location. Some experts believe that a second species with larger spots is a separate species "Paratilapia bleekeri" but this is not certain.
Tank Requirements: Minimum, for a mated pair as above. Much larger if combined with other species due to very large territory. The females require areas that they can escape to after spawning as the males will keep chasing and maybe kill them.
Diet Requirements: A good variety of foods, will take good quality flake and pellets but must be given live/frozen foods regularly. In nature is a piscivore, but happily takes dead, frozen fish.
Compatibility: Can only be kept as a single specimen or pair unless huge tank available. Not suitable for general community. Will eat smaller fish and attack others that enter its territory. In a suitable tank can be combined with some rift species and some Central Americans.
Recommendations: It is suggested that you purchase a group of young fish and allow these to pair off naturally.
Common Problems: Hole in the head.
Similar Species:
Sexing: Adult male fish are much larger than females and develop longer extensions on the dorsal and anal fins. They also tend to have a more rounded head shape.
Breeding: Possible but infrequent in aquaria. Bi-parental substrate spawner. Young pairs may eat eggs/fry, young males may chase/attack the female. Very large breeding territory.
Author(s): Anon, Fishlady | Photo: Anon | Views: 14565
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