{"product_id":"black-diamond-madagascar-cichlid-paratilapia-polleni-5cm","title":"Black Diamond Madagascar Cichlid Paratilapia Polleni 5cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Diamond Cichlid, also called the Starry Night or Marakely, is a velvet-black Madagascan cichlid sprinkled with iridescent blue-white spots. It is heavy bodied, intelligent and surprisingly adaptable. Endemic to Madagascar and endangered in the wild, it suits experienced keepers with a large tank for a single specimen or pair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 25–28 cm (10–11 in); females smaller\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 10–15 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Madagascar, widespread across the island\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Rivers, lakes and swamps from cool highlands to lowlands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Carnivorous, piscivore in the wild\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Cichlid pellets, prawns, mussel, krill, earthworms, whitebait\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Feed once daily; avoid mammal meat and feeder fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Large robust fish: bichirs, big catfish, Central American cichlids, large barbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Small fish (eaten), conspecifics unless a bonded pair, delicate species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Predatory but fairly calm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Strongly territorial toward its own kind, especially when breeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Intermediate to Advanced\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Sensitive to parameter swings; prone to velvet; needs a big tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, neutral to moderately hard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 22–27°C (72–81°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 6.5–8.0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 8–25 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Moderate, well oxygenated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 450 litres for an adult pair; larger with tank mates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuveniles look plain and grey, with the starry pattern developing over months as the fish grows, so patience is rewarded. This is a long-term commitment that needs a large, well-filtered tank with rockwork and caves, plus small, frequent water changes rather than big ones. Males grow much larger with extended fins; pairs are substrate spawners laying strings of sticky eggs. A rare, characterful showpiece.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680674263417,"sku":"STF-CICHLID-BLK-DIA","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-CICHLID-BLK-DIA.png?v=1790097041","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk\/products\/black-diamond-madagascar-cichlid-paratilapia-polleni-5cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}