{"product_id":"red-empress-namalenje-island-protomelas-taeniolatus-namalenje-island","title":"Red Empress \"Namalenje Island\" | Protomelas taeniolatus 'Namalenje Island'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the Red Empress from Namalenje Island, a prized locality form of a Lake Malawi hap known for especially fiery red and electric blue in mature males. Reaching around 15cm, it's a relatively peaceful, hardy showpiece and a real gem for the Malawi enthusiast chasing the best colour. Females and young males stay a plainer silver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis form occurs around Namalenje Island in Lake Malawi, East Africa, over rocky and intermediate shorelines in hard, alkaline water. Localised populations like this one are collected and line-bred for their distinctive, intense colouration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDominant males are stunning, blazing red-orange along the flanks with strong blue and green iridescence — the Namalenje line is particularly noted for its vivid red and blue. Females and immature fish are silvery with faint bands. Males reach around 15cm and are larger and far more colourful than females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMild by Malawi standards — a peaceful, open-swimming hap suited to a community of similarly sized, non-aggressive cichlids. Males turn territorial when breeding, so provide space and keep one male with several females to spread his attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that leans herbivorous, grazing algae and micro-organisms in the wild. Feed a good-quality spirulina or vegetable-based cichlid pellet or flake, with occasional frozen mysis or brine shrimp. Keep protein moderate to avoid Malawi bloat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a large tank with sand, rockwork and open swimming space. Maintain hard, alkaline Rift Lake water with strong filtration and regular water changes. Hardy and rewarding once the water chemistry is stable and correctly buffered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The female incubates eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming young. To preserve the locality's colour, breed only Namalenje stock together rather than crossing with other Red Empress lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProtomelas taeniolatus 'Namalenje Island'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Empress \"Namalenje Island\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNamalenje Island, Lake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15cm (males larger than females)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMild (semi-aggressive when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e350 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (mainly herbivorous)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–20 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate keepers with a Malawi hap\/peacock community\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly — may nibble soft plants and disturb them while digging\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther peaceful Malawi haps and peacocks of similar size, such as Aulonocara species, Copadichromis and Placidochromis, plus Synodontis catfish. Keep in a harem of one male to several females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAggressive mbuna, much larger predatory cichlids, and soft-water community fish unsuited to hard, alkaline Rift Lake water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232778764579,"sku":"AA3025-S","price":16.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232778797347,"sku":"AA3025","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232778830115,"sku":"AA3025-L","price":26.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/red-empress-namalenje-island-43879383400739.webp?v=1790305552","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-empress-namalenje-island-protomelas-taeniolatus-namalenje-island","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}