{"product_id":"red-empress-cichlid-protomelas-taeniolatus","title":"Red Empress Cichlid (Protomelas taeniolatus)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eRed Empress Cichlid (Protomelas taeniolatus) - Show-Stopping Colour for the Advanced Malawi Aquarium\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Red Empress (Protomelas taeniolatus) is regarded as one of the most beautiful Lake Malawi haps, with dominant males flushing into a dazzling wash of blue, orange and red as they mature. Females and juveniles wear a more subdued silvery-grey, making adult males the true showpiece of this species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a haplochromine rather than a mbuna, the Red Empress is somewhat less relentlessly territorial than the rock-dwelling zebras and labs, but it is still a robust, confident cichlid that needs space and similarly-sized company to thrive without being bullied or bullying others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt N8 Aquatics, our fish are carefully raised and conditioned to ensure healthy stock suited to home aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #2d5f3f; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eSpecies Snapshot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize Sold:\u003c\/strong\u003e Juvenile, approx. 3–5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–14 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 200 L minimum, with rockwork and caves for territories\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-aggressive, territorial — keep only with other robust African cichlids of similar size, not a peaceful community fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24–27°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.8–8.6\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #2d5f3f; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eIdeal Habitat and Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide open sand for foraging alongside rockwork for shelter, and maintain hard, alkaline water to match its Lake Malawi origins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24–27°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.8–8.6\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate to strong, with efficient filtration to handle bioload\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Weekly partial water changes to maintain stable, mineral-rich water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #2d5f3f; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivorous, herbivore-leaning diet suits this species well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-quality cichlid pellets as a staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpirulina-based flake for plant matter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOccasional frozen foods as a treat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid excess high-fat foods, which can cause bloat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #2d5f3f; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair the Red Empress with other robust, similarly-sized African cichlids for a balanced community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable tankmates include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther Lake Malawi haps and peaceful mbuna of similar size\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRobust, similarly-tempered African cichlids\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot suited to soft-water community fish or delicate species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid aggressive or fin-nipping species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #2d5f3f; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eWhy Buy From N8 Aquatics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarefully raised aquarium fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHealthy, well-conditioned stock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong genetics and vibrant colouration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBreeder support if you have questions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #2d5f3f; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003ePickup Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eN8 Aquatics currently operates as a local pickup-only breeder in Central Queensland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrders are collected by appointment after purchase confirmation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease ensure you are able to collect your fish before placing an order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #2d5f3f; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eImportant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll livestock sold by N8 Aquatics should be introduced to fully cycled aquariums suitable for the species being kept.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease ensure your aquarium setup and tankmates are appropriate before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"N8 Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"5cm","offer_id":47863500669033,"sku":"PISCES-17752","price":14.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/n8aquatics.com\/products\/red-empress-cichlid-protomelas-taeniolatus","provider":"N8 Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}