Water Parametersĭue to the unique properties of their natural habitat, Red Empress Cichlids require slightly alkaline water. Without a sizable tank, you may encounter stress and health complication. Red Empress Cichlids, in particular, are avid swimmers. If you plan on having more than one Red Empress Cichlid in your tank, you may need upwards of 200 gallons.Īs a whole, Cichlids are a type of fish that needs plenty of room to grow. If space isn’t an issue and you want to maximize their size, health, and happiness you should go for a 100-gallon tank instead. You might be able to get away with 55 gallons if the fish is on the smaller side but we don’t recommend it. We recommend a tank size of at least 75 gallons for a single Red Empress Cichlid. Here’s some information about Red Empress Cichlid care that you need to know. Red Empress Cichlids need good care to reach their full potential. With all that said, it’s still important that you provide proper care. They’re hardy, non-aggressive, and have a flexible diet. While some Cichlid fish are notorious for being a handful, that’s not the case for the Red Empress. Red Empress Cichlid Careįor the most part, Red Empress Cichlids are easy to care for. If they have plenty of room they’re far more likely to continue growing. Their growth rate is fairly average for freshwater fish.Īuthor Note: If you want your Red Empress Cichlid to grow as large as possible it’s important to provide them with a large tank. Most fish will continue growing after that point until they have reached their full size. Red Empress Cichlids typically reach sexual maturity at 8 to 9 months. Fish in captivity, however, usually stay on the smaller end of the size spectrum. In the wild, it’s far more common for these fish to reach the upper limits of that range. The average Red Empress Cichlid size is between 4.5 and 6 inches in length, which is reasonably large. The second set is further back in the throat. Like other Cichlids, the Red Empress has two sets of teeth. The front of the fins is a bit softer to make navigating the water a breeze. They can get quite sharp, helping these fish ward off predators. They have an angled shape, which helps with swimming in the wild.Įach fin also has spiny rays. First, the anal, dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins are quite long. Speaking of their bodies, these fish have some features that help their profile stand out. Like the males, females have two horizontal lines and some irregular ovals on the body. They are more subdued, taking on a silvery color. 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. The Red Empress Cichlid is a visually striking fish that can add vibrant color to your aquarium.
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