{"product_id":"protomelus-sp-taiwan-reef-protomelas-sp-taiwan-reef","title":"Protomelas sp. 'Taiwan Reef' | Protomelas sp. 'Taiwan Reef'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Taiwan Reef is reef-royalty among Lake Malawi haps — dominant males glow electric blue-green over the head and shoulders, melting into a warm yellow-gold body. Peaceful, hardy and a true crowd-pleaser, it reaches around 13–15 cm and makes a spectacular centrepiece for a rocky Malawi tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProtomelas sp. \"Taiwan Reef\" comes from Taiwanee Reef, a deep offshore reef in Lake Malawi, East Africa, over rocky and intermediate zones. The lake is warm, hard and strongly alkaline with excellent water quality. A rocky aquascape with caves and open sand, plus pristine, well-filtered water, recreates its home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOne of the most striking haps: dominant males split brilliant metallic blue at the front into a golden-yellow body, with red-edged fins in top condition. Females and subdominant males are a plainer silver. Colour develops dramatically as males mature and hold territory, and is best over dark rock.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eRelatively peaceful and good-natured for a Malawi cichlid, though males become territorial when breeding. It mixes well with other peaceful to moderate haps and less aggressive mbuna of similar size. Give it space and rock work so dominant males can hold a territory without constant conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore and micropredator in the wild that thrives on quality cichlid pellets and flake, plus frozen foods such as mysis, brine shrimp and the occasional bloodworm. A varied diet keeps its blue and gold vivid. Avoid over-rich warm-blooded meats.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 250 L, with 350 L or larger better for a group with a dominant male. Keep temperature at 23–28 °C, pH 7.8–8.6 and hard, alkaline (Rift Lake) water with a GH of around 8–20 dGH. Strong filtration, plenty of rock work and open swimming space, plus regular water changes, keep this hap at its brilliant best. Use fine sand as substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The male displays over a chosen site, the female lays and takes the eggs into her mouth, gathering milt to fertilise them, then broods the eggs and fry for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming young. Provide cover and space to protect the female from harassment during breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProtomelas sp. \"Taiwan Reef\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTaiwan Reef Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi (Taiwanee Reef), East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 13–15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMild (territorial when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e350 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: cichlid pellets, flake, frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 8–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRift Lake (Malawi) cichlid aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally (may disturb loose plants; use hardy or potted species)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other peaceful to moderate Malawi haps such as Copadichromis, Placidochromis and Aulonocara, and less aggressive mbuna of similar size, in a spacious rocky tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with very aggressive large cichlids, small community fish that may be eaten or bullied, and soft-water species. Avoid overcrowding without adequate rock work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232781484323,"sku":"AA3552-S","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232781517091,"sku":"AA3552","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232781549859,"sku":"AA3552-L","price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/protomelus-sp-taiwan-reef-pr-43879716323619.webp?v=1790305552","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/protomelus-sp-taiwan-reef-protomelas-sp-taiwan-reef","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}