Red Empress (Protomelas taeniolatus)

Pflegeparameter

Temperatur

24–26 °C

pH

6–8

GH-Härte

5–19 dGH

Größe ausgewachsen

8.5–12.4 cm

Mindestaquarium

185 L

Schwimmebene

Bottom-dwelling

Schwierigkeit

Mittel

Charakter

Assertive but manageable with space and structure

Herkunft

Lake Malawi, Africa

Artübersicht

Protomelas taeniolatus, a member of the family Cichlidae, is native to Lake Malawi, Africa. A thinking fish that rearranges décor and learns its keeper — and punishes bare, crowded tanks. It lives on the bottom. Adults reach 8.5–12.4 cm. Singly, in pairs, or as a harem — never crowded. Over-filter for its messy habits, aquascape with rock walls, and respect its claimed corner. Maintain 24–26 °C at pH 6–8. A rewarding species for the aquarist who reads before buying.

Natürlicher Lebensraum

Lebensraum

Lakes and slow rivers with structure

Strömung

Still to gentle current

Gelöster Sauerstoff

Moderate

Aquascaping & Technik

Substrat

Sand with rock piles

Harte Dekoration

Stones, caves and broken lines of sight

Pflanzen

Hardy species that tolerate digging

Charakter, Fütterung & Vergesellschaftung

Schwarmverhalten

Singly, in pairs, or as a harem — never crowded

Fütterung

Accepts all foods; emphasise quality over variety

Empfohlene Mitbewohner

• Large robust catfish — Ignore the posturing below

Nicht vergesellschaften mit

• Small or timid fish — Bullied relentlessly

Zucht & Hinweise

Geschlechtsdimorphismus

Often striking; males larger and brighter

Fortpflanzungsart

Cave or substrate spawner with prolonged parental care