LAKE MALAWI CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes ( Perciformes )
Family Cichlidae ( Cichlidae )
Subfamily ( Pseudocrenilabrinae )
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Genus Protomelas.
— Protomelas sp. “Steveni Taiwan”. (Eng. — Protomelas Taiwan Reef). Lake Malawi. Male 16 cm, female 13 cm. Adult males coloration is a combination of a white stripe along the back, brilliant blue-green head, yellow-orange body, and a fiery red anal fin. The iridescent blue color on the body runs above the lateral line from the head and transitions to the dorsal fin.
Depending on mood, 6 dark bars may appear. The anal fin is red with white spots. The dominant male is usually the only one fully colored, while subdominant males will not be brightly colored. Similar to P. taeniolatus, but easily distinguished from the latter by the yellow coloration of the shoulders and belly area.
Adult females and juveniles are silver with 6 black vertical bars, darker on the back and fading towards the belly. The main pattern on the body of females and juveniles consists of dark vertical and horizontal elements, though the vertical bars are not as distinct as in Protomelas fenestratus. The horizontal color element located along the longitudinal axis looks like a dotted line (especially in juveniles).
— P. steveni “Nkhata Bay” — this cichlid features bright red patterns instead of the usual yellow ones; — P. steveni “Yellow Chin” — with a yellow-colored lower body.
An aquarium of at least 200 liters is required for keeping them. This fish can be kept in pairs as males are moderately aggressive, but it is probably best to keep this variety in small groups or harems. Territorial males defend their territory against conspecifics. Decorations should not have sharp corners. Regular water changes are necessary because the fish need clean, pollutant-free water. They accept all kinds of aquarium foods. Spawning begins when they reach a length of 7 cm. The female mouthbroods the eggs. pH 7.7-8.5; dH 10-15°; T 25-28°C.
— Protomelas taeniolatus [Trewavas, 1935]. Synonyms: Protomelas dejunctus, Haplochromis, Cyrtocara taeniolatus, Cyrtocara taeniolata, Haplochromis cancellus. (Eng. — Fire Blue, Red Empress Cichlid, Spindle Hap). Belongs to the Utaka group. Males grow up to 18 cm, females are smaller.
They have several color forms, as well as closely related species that often differ only in color details. The great geographic variability in coloration makes it difficult to provide a single description of the species. Males are distinguished by bright, multicolored coloration, with a blue or light blue body against a cherry-red background, with numerous blue-green spangles. The anal fin has red pigment.
Females are colored more modestly, silver with one or two horizontal stripes with faint vertical bars, or vertical bars without horizontal ones (depending on the population). During the breeding season, the female becomes slightly bluish. In addition to size, males look more powerful.
Two characteristically colored males in a medium-sized aquarium is a great rarity. Usually, only one — the leader — is colored. The rest mimic the coloration of females to varying degrees. Juveniles have a silver-reticulated pattern on the body with a longitudinal dark stripe.
Color morphs include: — P. taeniolatus “Chizumulu” – yellow-orange in the main part, with a blue head, blue dorsal and caudal fins with red spots and dashes. Anal and pelvic fins are red with a blue border. Females are silver with a dark jagged horizontal line running through the middle of the body, a crescent-shaped line passes through the eye; — P. taeniolatus “Chilumba” – male body is blue with a yellow belly and 7-8 dark vertical lines, as well as a curved horizontal line along the body. The head is blue on top, yellow in the eye area extending to the chin and down to the belly. An oblique dark line runs through the eye. The dorsal fin is blue with gold spots. Female is silver with dark spotting;
— P. taeniolatus “Blue Fire”; — P. taeniolatus “Boadzulu Red” – fish with bright, glowing coloration. However, it only appears in a stress-free state and only in dominant males. The main body background ranges from red-cherry to scarlet. Head and back are bright blue, gill covers are emerald green, unpaired fins have a patterned design. Females and juveniles are silver with a metallic sheen and two longitudinal stripes in the center of the body and near the back. The emerald-turquoise attire of the fish is very effective in reflected light; — P. taeniolatus “Likoma” – Males are blue with a small amount of yellow. Dorsal and anal fins are blue. Females are silver with 7-8 vertical lines;
— P. taeniolatus “Namalenje” – has a blue head, dorsal fin is blue with red speckles and a yellow border. Anal fin is red with blue and gold dusting, pelvic fins are red with a blue ray. Female is silver with a curved horizontal stripe; — P. taeniolatus “Red Empress” – The fish’s body is a rich bright red color, with an emerald-blue head, sea-green gill covers with a distinct green sheen. The dorsal fin is decorated with a snow-white edge and adorned with raspberry spots on a pale blue background;
These fish require a large aquarium starting from 400 liters. For decoration, it is desirable to use landscape elements close to natural, fine light sand, and vertical rocks made of dark basalt or sandstone. Males zealously defend their spawning grounds. It is best to keep one male with several females. Other males can be left in the general aquarium, but it is better to move them to another tank, as they are destined to be punching bags in the old one. Lots of hiding places with clear territorial boundaries are required.
These fish show interest only in slender neighbors that easily fit into their mouths. If the hypothetical prey cannot be swallowed whole, gastronomic interest in it disappears. They feed mainly on rock Aufwuch containing diatoms. Greedy fish, they should not be overfed. Full spawning can be observed at 1 year of age. Spawning takes place on a sandy substrate where males dig a peculiar nest. The female cares for the fry for 1.5 months. pH 7.0-8.5; dH 10-25°; T 24-26°C.
— Protomelas virgatus [Trewavas, 1935]. Lake Malawi, Tanzania. Male 15 cm, females 12 cm. Characterized by a very rare jaw shape, narrowed at the front and widened at the back. Also, almost all virgatus have a blue body coloration and yellow coloration on the “shoulders” as a distinguishing feature, although this color trait may vary from population to population. They feed on both invertebrates and loose material from rock Aufwuch. Plant supplementation is mandatory.
Pseudotropheus sp. “Acei”, demasoni, elongatus.
Protomelas labridens, ornatus, similis, spilonotus. 
