Red Empress Cichlid Breeding Guide

Breeding the red empress cichlid (Protomelas taeniolatus): a maternal mouthbrooder; harem setup, spawning on rock or substrate, a 3-week holding period and rearing fry.

Overview

The red empress cichlid, Protomelas taeniolatus, is a maternal mouthbrooder from Lake Malawi. The female incubates the brood in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. It is normally spawned in a harem to spread male aggression.

Sexing

The sexes are easily told apart in mature fish: the male is larger and much more colourful than the female and has extended dorsal, anal and pelvic fins, while females remain plainer.

Conditioning

Keep the fish in the hard, alkaline conditions typical of Lake Malawi, with reported breeding water of around pH 8.0-8.5 and a temperature of about 25-27 degrees C, and condition a group of several females per male before spawning.

Breeding Setup

Spawn the fish in a harem of one male with several females, ideally raising a group of six to eight young together. Because males are very territorial, a very large tank is required to keep more than one male, and flat rocks or open substrate should be provided as spawning sites.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

The male establishes a temporary territory on a flat rock or in a substrate pit. When a female is willing, she approaches the spawning site and lays her eggs there, allowing the male to fertilise them before she takes them into her mouth.

Egg & Fry Care

The female carries the brood for around three weeks. Once released, the free-swimming fry accept newly hatched brine shrimp or microworm immediately.

Common Challenges

Male territoriality is the main difficulty: more than one male needs a very large tank, and several females per male help distribute his attention and aggression. As with other Malawi mouthbrooders, the holding female should be left undisturbed during incubation to avoid premature spitting of the brood.