Starry Night Cichlid (Paratilapia Polleni) Care Guide

Paratilapia polleni is a species of African cichlid fish that is native to the island of Madagascar. It is also known by the common names of Pollen's cichlid or Madagascar cichlid or Starry Night cichlid.

This species is characterized by its elongated body shape and a unique pattern of silver spots on a black body, which can be quite striking and look like the night sky. Paratilapia Polleni can reach a maximum size of around 10 inches (25 cm). They are not quite as aggressive as other cichlids so they can be kept with other peaceful big species.

Starry Night Cichlids, also known as Starry Night Peacock, come in two variations. One variation has smaller spots on its body, known as Paratilapia Polleni, and the other variety has larger spots, referred to as Paratilapia Polleni "Bleekeri". Some experts suggest that the "Bleekeri" variety should be considered a distinct species, however currently both variations are classified as Paratilapia Polleni.

Starry Night Cichlids Tank Setup:

To accommodate the large size of Starry Night Cichlids, a minimum tank size of 120 gallons is recommended for keeping a pair. Keeping them in a tank that is too small may inhibit their growth. It's advisable to increase the tank size if you want to keep more than one pair, as each pair will need around 3 feet of space for its territory.

When aqua-scaping your aquarium for your Starry Night Cichlids, make sure to select rocks that are smooth and won't scrape or harm the fish. Also, when placing plant decor, place it sparingly throughout the tank, as Starry Night Cichlids may pull up plants and substrate during nest building and rearranging.

Starry Night Cichlids Diet:

Starry Night cichlids are carnivorous and you should provide them with plenty of high-protein dry food and live or frozen food like shrimps, blood worms, and live brine shrimp.

Starry Night Cichlids Behavior:

Starry Night Cichlids are recognized for their aggressive behavior, making it unwise to keep them with other fish due to the potential harm they may cause. They are territorial creatures, which explains their aggressive tendencies, especially during the spawning season. Their aggression can put the lives of other fish at risk, and therefore it's recommended to keep them in a separate tank to avoid any conflict.

But don't worry much, as the Starry Night Cichlid exhibits less aggression towards species that do not invade their territory. It is not recommended to keep smaller fish in the same tank as your Starry Night Cichlid, as they may become prey. Opt for cichlids that are of similar size when selecting tankmates for your Starry Night Cichlid, as this can reduce the likelihood of aggressive behavior. Further information regarding suitable companions for the Starry Night Cichlid will be discussed below.

Starry Night Tankmates:

Starry Night cichlids are territorial and aggressive especially when they are paring, so keep in mind that if you keep a pair of them to give them enough room and only keep with them large cichlids like Oscars, Green terror, Medas cichlids or other large species.