Red Empress
Protomelas taeniolatus
Also known as: Super Red Empress
A Lake Malawi rock dweller sold under flashy trade names, worth every bit of the hype.
About
Found scraping algae and invertebrates from the rocky shallows of Lake Malawi, Protomelas taeniolatus is one of the more widely available members of its genus in the hobby. And one that goes by some memorable trade names. Forms sold as "Red Empress," "Super Red Empress," and "Blue Fire" are all variants or closely related morphs of this species, and males in full color are genuinely impressive fish. These variants should never be mixed in the same tank, as they will hybridize readily. In behavior, this species sits in an interesting middle ground among Malawian cichlids. More robust than many of its peaceful Haplochromine relatives, it can hold its own alongside mbuna, yet it is calm enough to share a tank with Aulonocara or Copadichromis. Males are strongly territorial with one another, so keeping more than one requires a very large setup and a proper harem of females to spread the male's attention. Like all Lake Malawi cichlids, it appreciates hard, alkaline water and a rocky aquascape with some open sandy areas for digging and spawning. Breeding is achievable for intermediate keepers. Females are maternal mouthbrooders that carry eggs for roughly three weeks. Adults can be pricey, so starting with a group of juveniles is a practical approach.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Red Empress
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Red Empress get?
- The Red Empress reaches about 2.5–6" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Red Empress need?
- A minimum of 53 gallons is recommended for the Red Empress.
- What water parameters does the Red Empress need?
- The Red Empress does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 7.5–9, hardness around 8–25 dGH.
- Is the Red Empress aggressive?
- The Red Empress is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.
- What does the Red Empress eat?
- The Red Empress is a herbivore. It needs a plant-based diet such as algae, blanched vegetables, or spirulina-based foods.
- How long does the Red Empress live?
- With good care, the Red Empress typically lives 5-8 years.