Protomelas marginatus Care Guide
Protomelas marginatus is a haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi. It is a relatively peaceful maternal mouthbrooder for community Malawi displays.
Overview
Protomelas marginatus is a haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, described by Trewavas in 1935. It is a comparatively small Protomelas; dominant males show a metallic blue body with a red margin on the dorsal fin. It is among the more peaceful haps for community Malawi aquaria.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Protomelas
- Scientific name: Protomelas marginatus
- Authority: Trewavas, 1935
Habitat
FishBase records the species as endemic to Lake Malawi (roughly 12-15 degrees south), a freshwater benthopelagic fish of shallow vegetated areas. It was once recognised as two subspecies but is now treated as a single species.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 350 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Maximum size: about 16.6 cm TL (FishBase)
- Substrate: sand
- Lifespan: 7-11 years
Diet
FishBase reports that Protomelas marginatus feeds primarily on algae and plant debris, with small invertebrates taken incidentally, and assigns it a low trophic level of 2.0. A diet weighted toward vegetable foods suits it in aquaria.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, mid-water hap suited to community Malawi tanks with Aulonocara peacocks, other haps and Synodontis multipunctatus. Aggressive mbuna, Tropheus and soft-water fish such as Discus, Apistogramma and tetras are unsuitable.
Breeding
Protomelas are maternal mouthbrooders; the female incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018).