Protomelas Taeniolatus
Pictures
Jalo Reef
Mbenji Island
Young Male Red Empress in full colour
Female
Description
In Lake Malawi are males usually no larger than 15 cm, but in the aquarium they can easily be 20 cm. In the lake the males keep a very small territory, but it only happens when they want to mate. Their territories is weak protected as they often let other cichlids came into the area. They also rarely keep territory for a rather long period of time. The cichlid is especially found at sites like Senga Point, Namalenje Island, Makanjila Point but there are many other places in the lake too. You see them usually by sedimentfri rocks around depth of 10 meters.
It lives by nature of animals and insect larvae it finds on the rocks deep below the algal layer. It also eat zooplankton. However, it must be said that in the aquarium it approves virtually all types of food. The only thing you should be careful with is overfeeding. They have reputation for very easy to become thick.
It looks a lot like Protomelas fenestratus but have larger eyes and a different set of teeth.
It is important with plenty of free swimming space in the tank, as it is a very active swimmer. Most find Protomelas taeniolatus as a relatively aggressive cichlid, but it varies considerably. I have seen individuals who had taken over an aquarium full of Mbunaer, but have heard of others where they went very peacefully in the aquarium. It is important with some hiding places in the aquarium to females, so they can hide from the male. Overall it is a cichlid which rarely takes fights against other cichlids in the aquarium.
A little history:
Number of offspring
15-30
Cichlider, Malawi - Hap
Trade Name
Red Empress
Described
Trewavas, 1935
The Red Empress males have a blue head and red, blue and yellow body. Females have a gray base color with a midterlig horizontal black stripe. But overall it's a cichlid with many looks depending on the variant.
Size Male
15-20
Size Female
12-15
Best Conditions
23°C
Max. temp
28°C
Min. pH
7.6
Max. pH
8.5
Min. aquarium
530L (Can be hold in a 400L)
Holding!;
Best as Trio or with More Females then Males
Algies
Cichlidsticks
Schrimpmix
Daphnia
Flakes
Spirulina
Edited by Malawi Freak, 05 June 2013 - 05:38 PM.