Imperial Tiger Hap (Protomelas) Care Guide
Protomelas sp. "Steveni Imperial" is a Lake Malawi haplochromine trade form with blue-and-orange striped males, kept as a semi-aggressive open-water hap.
Overview
Protomelas sp. "Steveni Imperial" is an aquarium-trade form of the Lake Malawi haplochromine genus Protomelas. It is one of several geographic "Steveni" variants in the hobby (alongside the well-known Taiwan Reef), dominant males showing horizontal blue and orange striping that suggests a tiger pattern. It is an active, open-water hap.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Protomelas
- Trade name: Protomelas sp. "Steveni Imperial" (Imperial Tiger Hap)
- Status: undescribed location/colour form within the genus Protomelas
Habitat
Protomelas is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. Rocky-shore members such as Protomelas taeniolatus inhabit shallow, rocky, sediment-free zones where they forage on aufwuchs and small invertebrates (Wikipedia). The "Steveni" forms are associated with rocky reef habitats in the lake.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
- Aquascape: open swimming space with rockwork over sand
Diet
Protomelas are omnivores; rocky-shore species graze aufwuchs (algae and microorganisms attached to rocks) and small invertebrates such as zooplankton in the wild (Wikipedia). In the aquarium a varied diet with a moderate, not excessive, protein content is appropriate, fed in small amounts twice daily.
Compatibility
This is a semi-aggressive hap best kept in a spacious Malawi hap/peacock community. Suitable companions include Aulonocara peacocks, other haps and Lake Tanganyika catfish such as Synodontis multipunctatus. Avoid combining it with the more aggressive mbuna, Tropheus, soft-water community fish (discus, tetras) and dwarf cichlids such as Apistogramma.
Breeding
Like other Protomelas, this form is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female holds the fertilised eggs and developing fry in her mouth; for Protomelas "Steveni" types holding periods of roughly 20-23 days before the fry are released are reported by hobbyist sources. Breeding difficulty is intermediate.