Some of those fish even have local names to help people in the area distinguish where the fish came from.įemales, unfortunately, don’t have the same coloration as the adult males do. There are Red Empress Cichlids with shades of gold, blue, orange, and more. If you look closely, you may even see faint horizontal lines and irregular oval shapes beneath their scales on the body.īut what’s really unique about the Red Empress Cichlid is that coloration can vary based on location.įish that live in certain parts of Lake Malawi may take on a different color pattern than what most are used to. There are even some specialty Red Empress fish that were purposely bred to achieve the most vibrant color possible. Distinct markings in blue, yellow, and brown are relatively common as well. Generally, adult males will take on a reddish-orange color. Male fish are the ones with the vibrant hues. AppearanceĪesthetics is where the Red Empress Cichlid really shines.ĭespite the feminine name, most of the Red Empress Cichlids you see in aquariums are not females. This goes for any species, no matter how hardy they might be. These include water quality, diet, and environment. Many factors will influence a fish’s lifespan. However, it possible for these fish to live 7 to 10 years with proper care. In captivity, the average lifespan of a Red Empress Cichlid is 5 years. Red Empress Cichlids do have their own unique challenges, but the work you’ll put into caring for these fish is well worth it in the end. They’re hardy and can live comfortably in a variety of conditions. Not only that, but these fish are easy to take care of. They’re relatively docile and will spend their days swimming throughout the tank. While most Cichlids are known for exhibiting aggressive behavior, Red Empress Cichlids are a unique outlier. Originally hailing from Lake Malawi in Africa, the Red Empress Cichlid has become a favorite among hobbyists (like their relative the African Cichlid). They are known for their dazzling colors, which can vary dramatically from fish to fish. Take one look at these fish and you’ll understand their colorful name. However, to aquarists, they are known as the Red Empress Cichlid or Spindle Hap. Scientifically, these fish are referred to as Protomelas taeniolatus. You should provide your red zebra cichlids with lots of hiding places to reduce their stress and prevent them from injuring each other.The Red Empress Cichlid is a visually striking fish that can add vibrant color to your aquarium. This way, the fish will not establish a territory and fight each other. Since red zebra cichlids are highly territorial fish, you should change the rock work once a month to reduce aggression. When the female fish is ready to breed, you can see her chasing other female fish away from her territory.Only feed your cichlids high-quality food such as frozen brine shrimp and blood worms.So, remove any other fish from the tank and only put the breeder fish and their mates in the tank. When the male fish builds a nest in his territory, he might become aggressive towards other fish.

Having more female fish with only one male fish in the tank can increase your chances of breeding. Provide plenty of rocks and caves for them to spawn.They have high ecological requirements, so you must provide the right water conditions to breed them.

A 10g tank is suitable for about 5 to 10 fry. When you separate the fry from their mother, they must be put in a tank with no other fish.

Super red zebra cichlid