Steveni Taiwan Reef care guide
Steveni Taiwan Reef (Protomelas fenestratus) — minimum tank 400 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Protomelas fenestratus ("Steveni Taiwan Reef" and related forms) is a Lake Malawi haplochromine in which adult males display a metallic blue body with bold dark vertical bars in nuptial coloration. Adults reach about 17 cm. Several locality morphs are recognised.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Protomelas
- Scientific name: Protomelas fenestratus
- Common synonyms: Steveni
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Malawi, where it inhabits sandy bays, sediment-rich flats and the sand-rock interface of the open lake. The water is hard and alkaline (pH 7.8-8.6, KH 6-15) and warm year round; large adults forage across open sand and through rock outcrops.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L (105.7 US gal)
- Adult size: 14-17 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
In the wild a carnivore or specialised feeder depending on species — many haps eat small fish, invertebrates or sift sand for hidden prey. In aquaria a moderate-protein cichlid pellet supplemented with frozen krill, mysis and chopped earthworm maintains condition and colour; vegetable matter is not the main component as it is for mbuna.
Compatibility
Less aggressive but larger than mbuna; best kept in spacious 350+ L tanks with one male and several females, alongside other peaceful Malawi haps and peacocks. Avoid mixing with rock-dwelling mbuna, whose constant aggression suppresses these larger fish, and avoid similar-coloured congeners to prevent hybridisation.
Breeding
A polygamous maternal mouthbrooder. The male defends a sand "scrape" or a small territory near a rock, displays his nuptial colours and entices females to spawn; the female collects the eggs into her mouth and incubates them for about three weeks before releasing fry.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: see species page. Most haps are widely distributed in Lake Malawi and assessed as Least Concern; localised forms with narrow ranges are more vulnerable to environmental change.
Protomelas fenestratus Breeding Guide
Overview
Protomelas fenestratus is a haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, marketed in the hobby as the Steveni Taiwan Reef. It reaches a length of 14 cm (5.6 in) and shows vertical bars and thin horizontal lines whose darkness varies by location, producing a lattice-like, window-reminiscent pattern. The genus Protomelas contains 16 recognised species and shows the maternal mouthbrooding and sexual dimorphism typical of the group.
Sexing
Males grow larger overall, are more strongly coloured, and develop extended dorsal, anal and pelvic fins. In dominant males the blue colouration obscures the body barring. Females remain smaller and plainer, which makes mature males easy to identify in a group.
Conditioning
This species is a substrate blower: it blows away sand to uncover insect larvae and crustaceans. Condition broodstock on a varied diet that reflects this invertebrate-based feeding. Recommended water is 24-28 C (75-82 F), pH 7.6-8.8 and hardness 10-25 dH.
Breeding Setup
Because males are highly territorial, this species should be spawned in a harem of one male with several females to dissipate the male's aggression during pursuits. A breeding group needs a large tank (a footprint of roughly 122 x 38 cm or more) with open sand and flat rocks to serve as spawning sites.
Spawning Behaviour & Trigger
When in condition a male establishes a territory built around a flat rock surface or a pit he excavates in the substrate, then displays around it in intense colour to entice females. The female lays her eggs at the site, allowing the male to fertilise them, before taking them into her mouth.
Egg & Fry Care
The female broods the eggs and larvae for approximately three weeks before releasing the free-swimming juveniles. Newly released fry will accept newly hatched brine shrimp or microworm immediately once free-swimming, and grow on well if offered frequent small feeds. Because the species varies geographically, with barring and horizontal lines whose darkness depends on location, fry from a given line are best kept with their own population to preserve the morph.
Common Challenges
Male territoriality is the principal hurdle; keeping a single male with a group of females reduces harassment. Holding females may stop feeding while brooding, so condition them well in advance, and avoid disturbing a carrying female to prevent premature release of the brood.