Red Empress Cichlid - (No Online Purchases)

Name: Red Empress Cichlid - Pick Up In Store Only

Scientific Name: Protomelas taeniolatus

Description: A stunning African cichlid prized for its vibrant colours and impressive appearance. Mature males develop brilliant red to orange colouration across the body, often complemented by metallic blue on the head and fins. Females and juveniles are generally silver-grey with darker horizontal markings. Red Empress Cichlids are active, relatively peaceful compared with many other African cichlids, and make an attractive centrepiece for larger Lake Malawi aquariums.

Origin: Lake Malawi, East Africa, where they inhabit rocky shorelines and intermediate rocky and sandy areas.

pH: Approximately 7.8–8.6

Temperature: Around 24–28°C

Adult Size: Males approximately 15–20 cm; females generally 12–15 cm.

Lifespan: 7–10 years with proper care.

Food: Omnivorous, feeding primarily on algae and small organisms in the wild. Provide quality African cichlid pellets, spirulina flakes, vegetable-based foods and occasional frozen foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp and daphnia. A balanced diet with plenty of vegetable matter is recommended. Avoid excessive high-protein or fatty foods.

Compatibility: Generally peaceful to moderately territorial for an African cichlid. Best kept with similarly sized, relatively peaceful Lake Malawi species such as suitable Peacock Cichlids and Haps. Avoid highly aggressive Mbuna and small, timid community fish. Males may become territorial during breeding. Keeping one male with several females can help reduce aggression.

Habitat: A spacious, well-filtered African cichlid aquarium with a combination of rocky structures, caves and open swimming areas. Prefers hard, alkaline water with stable parameters, good oxygenation and moderate water movement. Sand or fine gravel substrate is ideal.