Fish Data : Red Empress Cichlid - Protomelas Taeniolatus

Species name:  Protomelas Taeniolatus

Synonym:  Cyrtocara taeniolata, Cyrtocara taeniolatus, Haplochromis taeniolatus, Protomelas fenestratus, Haplochromis Hinderi, Steveni Eastern

Common Names:  Red Empress, Spindle Hap, Fire Blue

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids) , subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae

Order:  Perciformes (perch-likes)

Class:  Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)

Max. size:  25 cm / 10 inches

Environment:  freshwater

Origin:  Lake Malawi.

Temperament:  Relatively aggressive.

Company:  Can be kept with other equal aggressive species of the same size. Best kept with other Malawi cichlids.

Water parameters:  pH 7.0-8.5, temperature 24-26°C / 75-78° F

    These Cichlid is very dazzling in its adult male colors. It is an endemic species found only in Lake Malawi, Africa, but there are a number of color variations depending on where in the lake they originate. The females however are not so brilliant. They basically have a silvery colored body with marked with various dark spots, lines or blotches, and sometimes a touch of orange in some fins

    These Cichlid are commonly known as the Spindle Hap, as well as Haplochromis Red Empress and Haplochromis Fire Blue for naturally occurring color morphs. A few location specific names include Tangerine Tiger, Chilumba Jetty, and Fire Blue. Some captive bred specimens are very red and have names such as Red Empress, or the 'Super Red Empress' which was developed in Europe.

    The Red Empress are different from the Mbuna or rock-dwelling cichlids, as they they prefer open swimming areas where the rock meets the sand. But they still prefer being around rocky areas that offer retreats in caves or cracks. As they are a peaceful fish, do not mix them with aggressive Mbunas. They can be housed with other peaceful Malawi Lake cichlids, as well as Pictus Catfish and Ropefish. Should be best if we keep the different species blood lines pure.

    You can set  a big tank for this fish. The tank should be about  90 gallon / 350 L or larger , The tank must requires stone formations that allows the fish good hiding places. Plan the Aquarium setup so that several territories can be formed with natural boundaries. Also make sure there is a lot of free space for these fish to swim on. Don’t use roots in your aquarium since they lower PH levels..

Feeding : These Cichlid can eat many kind of food , Pellet , Small live food etc.

Breeding : These Cichlid can bred in captivity with a good water conditions and the proper sized tank, they are actually very easy to breed. They are mouth brooders, though fertilization takes place externally. The male will claim a pretty small area to defend before and during the time they spawn. Males become sexually mature at 8 to 9 months with weak broods at that time, but they will increase as the male ages.

    The male will choose a flat stone or clear a spot at the bottom of the tank and then chase the females to get them to follow him to his "pad." The male then turns upward into an almost vertical position and shakes, which encourages the female into the same position with her head close to his anal fin. After laying her 40 to 50 eggs, she picks them up in their mouth, goes "vertical" again and mouths the male's anal fin. This stimulates him to release sperm and fertilize the eggs within the female's mouth.

    The female holds her eggs in her mouth for 21 to 28 days. Once the female has her eggs and the spawning event is over, the male will stop guarding the area and just swim in open water. The female will guard the fry. If attempting an artificial incubation, In this step you should feed them with the fry small zooplankton or Artemia nauplii at around the middle of the 3rd week. Cyclops, adult brine and glassworms can be fed as they age.

    Once the young are hatched, the parents are very effective guardians of their young. They will actually set up "stations" that are designed to be protective by sticking close to the other parent, allowing the young to move back and forth between them for the best protection. With most Haps, the male will eat the fry and not help with raising them.

Credit :

http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/cichlid/RedEmpress.php

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fish/redempress.php

http://www.fishoutlet.com.au/product_detail/581.php



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