Black diamond cichlid
Paratilapia polleni
- Tank length
- 150 cmabout 5 ft (59 in)
- Start with
- 1
- Temperature
- 17–28 °C63–82 °F
- pH
- 6.5–8
- Adult size
- 25 cm10 in
- Lifespan
- 10–15 yrs
A Malagasy predator that eats small fish and turns aggressive when breeding; keep with robust cichlids in a large tank.A Malagasy predator that eats small fish and turns aggressive when breeding; keep with robust cichlids in a large tank.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- African butterfly cichlid
Black diamond cichlid may eat African butterfly cichlidBlack diamond cichlid may eat African butterfly cichlid
- Agassiz's cory
Black diamond cichlid may eat Agassiz's coryBlack diamond cichlid may eat Agassiz's cory
Amano shrimpBlack diamond cichlid may eat Amano shrimpBlack diamond cichlid may eat Amano shrimp
- American flagfish
Black diamond cichlid may eat American flagfishBlack diamond cichlid may eat American flagfish
- Arfak rainbowfish
Black diamond cichlid may eat Arfak rainbowfishBlack diamond cichlid may eat Arfak rainbowfish
Assassin snailBlack diamond cichlid may eat Assassin snailBlack diamond cichlid may eat Assassin snail
- Bandit cory
Black diamond cichlid may eat Bandit coryBlack diamond cichlid may eat Bandit cory
- Batanta rainbowfish
Black diamond cichlid may eat Batanta rainbowfishBlack diamond cichlid may eat Batanta rainbowfish
- Black kuhli loach
Black diamond cichlid may eat Black kuhli loachBlack diamond cichlid may eat Black kuhli loach
Black neon tetraBlack diamond cichlid may eat Black neon tetraBlack diamond cichlid may eat Black neon tetra
- Black phantom tetra
Black diamond cichlid may eat Black phantom tetraBlack diamond cichlid may eat Black phantom tetra
- Black ruby barb
Black diamond cichlid may eat Black ruby barbBlack diamond cichlid may eat Black ruby barb
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 17–28 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.5–8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 8–25 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | Madagascar | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | middle | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | predatory | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | carnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 10–15 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 24 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum tank length | 150 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |