Fishician®Diet
Carnivore – cichlid pellets, large frozen foods, earthworms
Aquarium species profile
Starry Night Cichlid
Paratilapia polleni · Madagascar
Minimum tank125 gal
Adult size12"
Care levelModerate
TemperamentAggressive
Temperature72–77°F
pH range7.0–8.0
Compatible tank mates
Only similarly sized robust fish; best in species tank
Tank mates to avoid
Small fish (will eat them), passive species
Care notes
Endemic to Madagascar. Jet-black body covered with gold iridescent spots resembling a starry night sky. Critically endangered in the wild — captive populations are important. Large and territorial; needs spacious setup.
Check the whole aquarium. Tank size alone does not establish compatibility. Confirm adult size, water overlap, social grouping, territory, diet, and the individual animals before stocking.