Polleni Cichlid/Starry Night Cichlid - (Paratilapia polleni)

🐟 Polleni Cichlid / Starry Night Cichlid – (Paratilapia polleni) – Stunning Madagascar Cichlid for Sale

The Polleni Cichlid, also known as the Starry Night Cichlid, is a striking freshwater species native to Madagascar. Its dark, almost black body is covered in shimmering white-to-blue spots, resembling a star-filled night sky—hence its common name. This beautiful but robust cichlid is a favorite among hobbyists for its unique coloration and engaging personality.

While visually stunning, the Polleni Cichlid is also territorial and semi-aggressive, particularly during breeding. It thrives in spacious aquariums with plenty of rock structures, caves, and open swimming areas.

🔎 Quick Facts – Polleni Cichlid (Paratilapia polleni)

• 📛 Common Names: Polleni Cichlid, Starry Night Cichlid
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Paratilapia polleni
• 🌍 Origin: Madagascar
• 🎨 Appearance: Black to dark blue body covered with iridescent white-blue spots
• 📏 Max Size: 10–12 inches (25–30 cm)
• 💎 Availability: Occasionally available; captive-bred and wild-caught

😇 Behavior & Temperament

• ⚠️ Semi-aggressive; territorial, especially when spawning
• 🐟 Best kept with similarly sized robust fish
• 🌿 Can be kept as a pair or in a large cichlid community
• 🧠 Intelligent and responsive to their keepers

🏠 Aquarium & Tank Requirements

• 📦 Minimum Tank Size: 75+ gallons for a single or pair
• 🌿 Provide rocks, caves, and hiding structures
• 🪵 Open swimming areas with fine sand or smooth gravel substrate
• 💡 Moderate lighting to highlight iridescent spots
• 🌊 Strong filtration for clean, stable water

💧 Water Parameters – Polleni Cichlid Care

• 🌡️ Temperature: 74–82°F (23–28°C)
• ⚗️ pH: 7.0–8.0
• 💧 Hardness: Moderate to hard water

🍽️ Diet – Omnivorous Cichlid

• 🌾 High-quality cichlid pellets and flakes
• 🦐 Frozen or live shrimp, krill, and bloodworms
• 🐟 Occasional fish fillets or insects
• 🥬 Supplement with vegetable matter such as spirulina or blanched greens

📋 Polleni Cichlid Care Overview Table

✨ Highlight:

• The Polleni Cichlid is a rare and mesmerizing Madagascar cichlid with a galaxy-like spotted pattern, making it a true showpiece for large, well-aquascaped aquariums.