Red empress

Protomelas taeniolatus

''Protomelas taeniolatus'' is a Haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa. The fish is popular in the aquarium hobby due to the bright rainbow-like colors of adult males and its relatively peaceful temperament. Juvenile and female ''P. taeniolatus'', like many Haplochromines, do not display bright coloration.


The red empress is endemic to Lake Malawi and occurs in sediment free, rocky habitats in relatively shallow waters. It mainly feeds on algae growing on the rock surfaces, but also on a variety of small invertebrates. Males can reach a size of up to 11.3 centimetres TL.
Status: Least concern
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderCichliformes
FamilyCichlidae
GenusProtomelas
SpeciesP. taeniolatus
Photographed in
Belgium