Red Empress Peacock (Protomelas taeniolatus)

One of the Most Colourful Cichlids in the World

The Red Empress (Protomelas taeniolatus), also known as the Spindle Hap or Red Empress Peacock, is one of the most spectacular Lake Malawi haplochromine cichlids available. Males display a breathtaking combination of vivid red-orange body colouration with iridescent blue-green highlights across the scales, face, and fins — a visual complexity that few freshwater fish can rival. Majestic, hardy, and relatively peaceful for a hap, the Red Empress is a must-have centrepiece for any serious African cichlid aquarium.

Overview

Appearance

Males are among the most visually stunning cichlids in the hobby — a rich red-orange to crimson body overlaid with brilliant iridescent blue-green scale highlights that shift and shimmer under aquarium lighting. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins carry the same vivid colouration, creating a fish of extraordinary visual depth. Females are more subdued, displaying silver-grey colouration with faint markings — typical of Lake Malawi haplochromines. Males develop their full colouration as they mature and establish dominance.

Water Parameters & Tank Setup

• Temperature: 24 – 28°C (76 – 82°F)
• pH: 7.8 – 8.5
• General Hardness (GH): 10 – 20 dGH
• Tank Size: 280 L (75 gallons) minimum
• Substrate: Sand preferred; mimics the natural Lake Malawi environment
• Decor: Rock formations for territory and shelter, with open swimming space in the mid and upper water column

Diet & Feeding

• Staple: High-quality cichlid pellets
• Treats: Frozen brine shrimp, krill, and daphnia
• Colour enhancement: Astaxanthin or krill-based colour-enhancing foods help maintain and intensify the vivid red-orange colouration

Feed 2–3 times daily. Avoid high-protein mammal-based foods — stick to fish and crustacean-based proteins.

Compatibility & Tank Mates

• Best kept with other Lake Malawi haplochromine and Peacock cichlids of similar size and temperament
• Avoid highly aggressive Mbuna species that may stress or bully them
• Keep one male Red Empress per tank to prevent territorial conflict
• Can be kept with females or a harem in larger setups

Breeding

Maternal mouthbrooders. After spawning, females incubate eggs in their mouths for 3–4 weeks. Provide flat rocks or open sandy areas as spawning sites. Remove the female to a separate tank if she is being harassed during incubation.

The Red Empress Peacock is a living jewel of Lake Malawi — vivid, majestic, and endlessly captivating. A true showpiece for any African cichlid aquarium.