Protomelas spilonotus Breeding Guide

Breeding Protomelas spilonotus, the Tanzania Sunset hap from Lake Malawi: sexing, harem spawning over sand, 24-40 eggs and roughly three-week maternal mouthbrooding.

Overview

Protomelas spilonotus is a haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, found in areas with clean, rocky substrates and represented in the hobby by colour forms such as the Tanzania (Liuli) and Mara Rocks morphs. It reaches a length of 16.7 cm (6.6 in) TL. The genus Protomelas contains 16 recognised species and shows the maternal mouthbrooding and sexual dimorphism typical of the group.

Sexing

Sexual dimorphism is marked: males grow larger and become much more colourful, while females are silvery and plain. Dominant males in breeding condition are the most strongly coloured fish in the group, making them straightforward to pick out.

Conditioning

Condition broodstock on a varied diet and stable rift-lake water. Firm, alkaline, mineral-rich conditions matching Lake Malawi support both general health and readiness to spawn. The species is found in areas with clean, rocky substrates, so a breeding group settles best when given rockwork alongside the open sand used for spawning. Because distinct colour forms such as the Tanzania (Liuli) and Mara Rocks morphs exist, only fish of the same form should be bred together to keep a line true.

Breeding Setup

The species follows the typical harem system of mouthbrooding cichlids: a dominant male holds a small breeding territory and females enter it to spawn. Keep one male with several females in a large tank with open sand and rockwork so the male's pursuits are divided among the group.

Spawning Behaviour & Trigger

The male chooses a spot in the sand; when the female is ready she lays one or a few eggs, the pair turn and the male fertilises them, and the female takes them into her mouth, repeating the cycle until the clutch is collected. A female may lay between 24 and 40 eggs per brood.

Egg & Fry Care

The eggs hatch within a few days, and the fry remain in the mother's mouth until they can swim independently, usually around 21 days after the eggs are laid. The female should not be disturbed during brooding, as stress can cause premature release of the brood.

Common Challenges

As with other large Protomelas, male aggression during courtship is the main difficulty and is managed with the harem approach. Holding females stop feeding while brooding, so condition them well beforehand to avoid loss of condition.