Red Empress Cichlid (Protomelas taeniolatus) Care Guide
One of the most colorful Lake Malawi haplochromines. Males display a spectacular blend of red, orange, and blue with iridescent scales.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Protomelas taeniolatus is a species in the family Cichlidae. One of the most colorful Lake Malawi haplochromines. Males display a spectacular blend of red, orange, and blue with iridescent scales. Relatively peaceful for a Malawi cichlid, it does well in mixed haplochromine and peacock setups.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Protomelas
- Scientific name: Protomelas taeniolatus
- Other names: Spindle Hap
- Origin: Africa, Lake Malawi
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Malawi, where it inhabits intermediate sandy-rocky zones at depths of 1-30 m along most of the lake shoreline. Numerous regional colour forms are circulated under collection-locality names. Adult males develop highly variable red, blue and yellow patterns; females remain a more uniform brown.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Adult size: 12-15 cm
- Lifespan: 7-10 years
- Difficulty: intermediate
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: semi-aggressive
- Swimming level: middle
- Compatible tank mates: Peacock Cichlid, Blue Dolphin Cichlid, Synodontis Petricola
- Avoid with: Mbunas, Small Fish, Shrimp
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: mouthbrooder
- Breeding difficulty: intermediate
Red Empress Cichlid Breeding Guide
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.