Haplochromis polli

About

A small cichlid from the Congo River basin, Ctenochromis polli is native to the shallow, slow-moving backwaters and bank margins of the lower and middle Congo, including the famous Pool Malebo. It's a common fish within its range and fairly adaptable, making it a reasonable choice for hobbyists who haven't kept African cichlids before. Males are noticeably larger than females and develop a reddish-orange flush on the underside of the head that deepens during territorial disputes and courtship displays. One of the more rewarding behaviors to watch in a smaller cichlid. Breeding follows a maternal mouthbrooding strategy, where the female alone incubates the eggs and guards the fry. Social dynamics in the aquarium require some thought. This species is not particularly social with its own kind, and keeping more than one male together almost always leads to the dominant fish bullying the others relentlessly. A single male with multiple females is the practical approach, and even then the females establish their own pecking order. Tankmates should be peaceful open-water fish like characids or cyprinids rather than other cichlids, which tend to cause conflict. Given proper planning around tank composition, this is a genuinely interesting little fish that rewards patient observation.