Red Empress
Protomelas taeniolatus
Cichlidae
About
The red empress is a strikingly coloured haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it ranges over the intermediate zone between rocky reefs and open sand. Dominant males blaze in metallic blue, red and orange with a boldly patterned body, while females and juveniles remain a subdued silvery bronze. Milder-tempered than most mbuna, males still hold firm territories against rivals, so this active, medium-large hap is best kept as a harem in a spacious hard-water Malawi aquarium rather than a soft-water community.
Care
Keep in hard, alkaline water (pH 7.8-8.5, high GH/KH) at 25-27 C in a tank of 250 L or more with a long footprint, open sand and stacked rockwork. Best as a harem of one male to three or more females; not for soft-water community tanks. Provide a secure lid as males can leap.
Diet
Omnivore that grazes aufwuchs and picks small invertebrates; feed a spirulina-based cichlid pellet plus frozen brine shrimp, mysis and cyclops, and keep protein moderate to avoid bloat.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (106)
Avoid (15)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.