{"product_id":"protomelus-spilonotus-tanzania-protomelas-spilonotus-tanzania","title":"Protomelas spilonotus 'Tanzania' | Protomelas spilonotus 'Tanzania'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis is a large, showy Tanzanian locality form of Protomelas spilonotus, dominant males splitting deep blue and gold across a powerful body. Robust and relatively peaceful for its size, it makes a real statement hap for a roomy Malawi tank, reaching around 16–18 cm. Give it space, rock and good filtration and it will reward you with striking colour.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProtomelas spilonotus is found along the rocky and intermediate coasts of Lake Malawi in East Africa; this form comes from the Tanzanian (eastern) shore. The lake is warm, hard and strongly alkaline with excellent water clarity. A large rocky aquascape with open sand and pristine, well-filtered water recreates its home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA big, deep-bodied hap in which dominant males develop a rich blue head and forebody grading into a golden-yellow rear, often with a contrasting darker back — hence the \"spot-back\" name. Females and subdominant males are silvery. Colour intensifies markedly as males mature and establish dominance.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eRobust but relatively peaceful for its size, becoming territorial mainly when breeding or when males compete. It is best with other medium-to-large, similarly-tempered Malawi cichlids in a spacious tank. Its size and presence can overwhelm smaller, timid haps, so match tankmates for size and vigour.\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, prawn and brine shrimp. A varied diet keeps colour and condition high. Avoid over-rich warm-blooded meats, which can cause digestive problems.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 250 L, with 350 L or larger better for an adult male and group. Keep temperature at 24–28 °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 larger hap at its 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 during and after breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProtomelas spilonotus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpot-back Hap (Tanzania locality)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi (Tanzanian shore), East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 16–18 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 to semi-aggressive (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\u003e24–28 °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\u003eLarge Rift 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 medium-to-large Malawi haps such as Copadichromis, Sciaenochromis, Nimbochromis and other Protomelas, plus robust mbuna, in a spacious rocky tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small or timid community fish that may be eaten or bullied, very aggressive giants that will dominate it, 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":55232781680931,"sku":"AA3551-S","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232781713699,"sku":"AA3551","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232781746467,"sku":"AA3551-L","price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-18cm)","offer_id":55351958176035,"sku":"AA3551-XL","price":60.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/protomelus-spilonotus-tanzan-43879716389155.webp?v=1790305552","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/protomelus-spilonotus-tanzania-protomelas-spilonotus-tanzania","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}