fish · Cichlidae
Red empress
Protomelas taeniolatus
Wild range: Endemic to Lake Malawi (Malawi / Mozambique / Tanzania shoreline) — widely distributed in shallow, sediment-free rocky and rock–sand interface habitats (Africa)
At a glance: Red empress care
Compiled reference information. Review the care notes and original sources below.
What temperature is listed for Red empress?
The compiled profile lists 24.0–28.0 °C for Red empress (Protomelas taeniolatus). Check the original sources below for context and differing recommendations.
What tank size is listed for Red empress?
The profile lists a minimum tank volume of 75.0 US gallons (284.0 liters). Volume alone does not establish suitability; consider dimensions, group size and other inhabitants alongside the full care notes.
What pH is listed for Red empress?
The compiled profile lists a pH of 7.6–8.8. Review the cited care sources alongside the other water parameters in this profile.
Natural habitat
Shallow, clear, sediment-free rocky shores and rock–sand transition zones of Lake Malawi; feeds on aufwuchs (algae and associated microorganisms) on rocks and also takes small invertebrates and zooplankton when abundant (Seriously Fish, FishBase, AquaInfo).
Where they are found
Catalog primary name Protomelas taeniolatus (Trewavas, 1935) per inventory/trade lock, ITIS TSN 649258, FishBase (id 2123), and Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes (valid; originally Haplochromis taeniolatus Trewavas 1935; lectotype BMNH 1935.6.14.866). Synonyms: Haplochromis taeniolatus, Cyrtocara taeniolata / Cyrtocara taeniolatus, Haplochromis cancellus Greenwood 1963; Protomelas dejunctus Stauffer 1993 treated as synonym (Konings 2016 notes possible subspecies). Trade morphs “Red Empress”, “Super Red Empress”, and “Blue Fire” are sold as this species — SF notes they may later be split and should not be mixed (hybridize). Similar congener P. fenestratus is a different species. FishBase wild max ~11.3 cm TL; aquarium adults of red morphs commonly 12–20 cm (SF 200 mm SL; AquaInfo 14–18 cm). IUCN Least Concern (2018).
Aquarium care
Popular Lake Malawi hap kept for the vivid red–orange and blue of dominant males (trade “Red Empress”). Plan at least a 75 US gallon (~284 L) tank with a long footprint (Seriously Fish ~120×45 cm base / ~54 US gal formula volume; Aquarium Source ≥75 gal; AquaInfo prefers ≥200 cm length — longer is better for a breeding male). Use sand, rock piles forming caves at the rock–sand interface, open midwater swimming lanes, and a flat rock or open sand patch as a spawning site. Hard alkaline water: about 24–28°C, pH 7.6–8.8, GH roughly 10–25 (Seriously Fish; Aquarium Source; AquaInfo hard subset 12–16). Strong filtration and regular water changes. Keep one male with at least three to four females to spread harassment; multiple males need a very large multi-territory tank. Do not mix color morphs or closely related Protomelas. Intermediate difficulty for a Malawi hap — not a soft-water or nano fish.
Feeding
Aufwuchs feeder in the wild (algae and associated crustaceans on rocks; also sand-sifts and takes zooplankton when abundant). In aquaria needs a high-fiber diet: spirulina flakes/pellets and blanched greens plus frozen/live invertebrates (brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis, krill) as supplements (Seriously Fish, AquaInfo, Aquarium Source, FishBase). Meaty mammalian foods / beefheart are detrimental long-term (Seriously Fish). Greedy and prone to overweight — feed modest portions. Poor diet is linked to Malawi bloat risk.
Compatibility
Relatively peaceful for a Malawi hap but males are territorial when breeding (Seriously Fish, AquaInfo, Aquarium Source). Best with similarly sized peaceful Malawi haps (Aulonocara, Copadichromis, other non-mbuna Protomelas/haps) and Synodontis that tolerate high pH. SF notes it is more robust than some Protomelas and can even be kept with mbuna in large tanks, but a peaceful hap community is safer. One male per tank unless very large. Not a soft-water community or nano species. Do not mix morphs (hybridize).
Breeding
Maternal mouthbrooder; readily bred in a harem of one male with ≥3–4 females (Seriously Fish, Aquarium Source, AquaInfo). Target spawn conditions ~25–26.5°C and pH ~8.0–8.5 (SF). Male forms a temporary territory with a flat rock or sand pit, displays intensely, and courts females; female lays and mouthbroods ~3 weeks (AquaInfo ~19–24 days to release; AS 3–4 weeks) without feeding. Fry take baby brine, microworms, or powdered foods from release. Stressed females may spit or eat the brood — some breeders move holding females carefully or strip at ~2 weeks (expert only).
Sources
Compiled from multiple independent care sheets — not copied from a single site.