Red Empress Cichlid Care Guide and Species Profile – Size, Food & More
Red Empress Cichlid is a fantastic freshwater fish species for all levels of Aquarists who looking to keep a non-aggressive Cichlid.
The charm of this species is not due solely to their temperament but rather their beauty. The brilliant and vibrant color scales that shift and alter along the length of their bodies make them eye-catching fish.
Species Overview
Red Empress Cichlids are one of the wonderful fish species that will brighten up your tank. The scientific name for this fish is Protomelas taeniolatus .
They are, however, referred to as the Red Empress Cichlid or Spindle Hap among Aquarium hobbyists. Take a look at these fish, and you’ll understand why they’re called as such.
They’re recognized for their brilliant colors, which might vary considerably from one fish to another. These Cichlid species are native to Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa and have become most people’s fantastic fish.
The Red Empress Cichlids are one of a kind, as they are known for being aggressive. They’re quite docile and spend most of their time swimming in the tank.
These fish species are not only easy to care for, but they’re also adaptable and resilient. They can survive in a range of habitats and circumstances with ease. The problems that come with these fish species aren’t challenging, and the effort you’ll put into caring for them will be worth it in the end.
Red Empress Cichlid Lifespan
The typical lifespan of a Red Empress Cichlid in captivity is five years. However, with proper care, these fish can live 7 to 10 years.
The length of a fish’s life is determined by various factors, including water quality, food, and the environment. This also applies to all species, regardless of how tough they are.
Red Empress Cichlid Size
These fish species are a medium size Cichlid that are ranging from 4.5 to 6 inches in length. The average Red Empress Cichlid size is expected to be 5 inches long.
In the wild, these fish achieve the greatest extremes of their range far more frequently. On the other hand, fish in captivity are generally kept at the smaller end of the size spectrum.
The Red Empress Cichlids typical sexual maturity period is 8 to 9 months. The majority of the fish will continue to develop until they attain their full size. The growth rate for freshwater fish is rather steady.
Red Empress Cichlid Appearance & Colors
Adults will generally be reddish-orange. Blue, yellow, and brown spots are quite frequent as well. There are also several Red Empress fish that were bred to produce the most vibrant color feasible.
If you pay close attention, you may notice horizontal lines and a few oval shape markings beneath their scales.
What’s more, the Red Empress Cichlid is unique in that its coloration varies depending on location. The coloration of fish that dwell in specific parts of Lake Malawi may differ from what most people are used to.
There are many varieties of Red Empress Cichlids, including gold, blue, orange, and others. Some of those fish have regional names to assist people in the region in distinguishing where the fish originated.
Females don’t have the same coloration as adult males. They’re more muted, taking on a silvery appearance. Both the male and female bodies are divided into two horizontal lines and a few irregular ovals, much as with other species.
These fish also have features that assist them in standing out. The anal, pectoral, dorsal, and caudal fins are all long. Because of their angle shape body that helps fast swimming in the wild.
When you notice their fins, you can see spiny rays along. Those fins are sharp and help to get rid of their predators. Their front fins are soft helping them to navigate through the water flow.
What Is Albino Red Empress Cichlid?
The Albino Red Empress Cichlid is a colored strain of the Red Empress Cichlid. The typical type is incredibly widespread in Lake Malawi, and they are frequently found in rocky areas near the water’s edge.
Albino fish are susceptible to disease and predators, so they must be maintained in captivity. Although these albino fish would not survive long in the wild, they make excellent additions to any aquarium.
Tanks should include some pebbles to seem more at ease. They may reach up to 7 inches in length in the wild, but they can develop considerably larger in captivity. Despite their imposing stature, they are quite docile and merely assert their authority during breeding.
Behavior & Temperament
The Red Empress Cichlids are relatively peaceful. They like to keep to themselves as much as possible. They are a great choice for inexperienced fishkeepers.
While some Cichlid fish are notorious for being difficult to maintain, the Red Empress is not one of them. They’re resilient, non-aggressive, and adaptable eaters.
The water to which the Red Empress Cichlids are native is slightly alkaline, owing to the peculiar qualities of their natural environment. The water from which they originate is highly mineralized.
Salt can be tolerated by these fish, but do not put them in brackish water completely.
These Cichlid species are not aggressive towards other species. They are extremely rare to see attack others. If you maintain the tank as directed and provide plenty of hiding places and a swimming room, you should be able to avoid aggression.
Red Empress Cichlid Care
The Red Empress Cichlids are generally easy to maintain. Although certain Cichlid fish may be difficult to handle, the Red Empress is not one of them. They’re adaptable, non-aggressive, and will eat anything.
Despite everything you’ve said, though, you’ll need to provide attentive care. To realize their full potential, Red Empress Cichlids require special attention.
– Red Empress Cichlid Tank Size
We recommend a tank size of 75 gallons or more for a single Red Empress Cichlid. If the fish is small, 55 gallons might be sufficient. But you will have to keep increasing the tank size when it grows.
On the other hand, if you don’t mind having less space and want to maximize their size, health, and happiness instead, a 100 gallons tank is a way to go. You may need more than 200 gallons if you intend to keep more than one Red Empress Cichlid in your aquarium.
Cichlids are freshwater species that need a lot of space to develop. Red Empress Cichlids, in particular, are strong swimmers. Your fish may experience stress and health issues if you do not have enough room in your tank.
– Red Empress Cichlid Tank Setup
Before introducing Red Empress Cichlids into your aquarium, make sure it is properly prepared.
First, let’s talk about filtration and water flow. Red Empress Cichlids live in a constantly moving water environment in nature. Many streams feed the water they’re born into, which is churned all the time.
Pumping water is a laborious task. It’s important to invest in a high-quality pump that can keep the water in your tank moving. Filters are also required. These fish species are known to produce a lot of trash.
If the filters aren’t enough to remove everything, you run the risk of having major chemical changes. This can cause your fish to be stressed and ill.
– Water Conditions And Parameters
Red Empress Cichlids require somewhat alkaline water due to the particular conditions of their native terrain. The water they originate from is highly mineralized. These species can stay in salty water, but ensure you put them in brackish water.
Despite their toughness, water quality is critical when caring for Red Empress Cichlids.
- Water Temperature: 73 – 82 degrees Fahrenheit
- pH Levels: 7.5 – 8.5
- Water Hardness: 5 – 15 dGH
– Suitable Aquarium Plants
It should be fine as long as the fish doesn’t like to eat the plant in question and has a strong root structure.
Some recommended aquarium plants are:
Food And Feeding
So, what do you feed these cichlids? Red Empress Cichlids are omnivorous in the wild, according to information. Algae that have become adhered to rocks are their food in the wild.
Fish kept in captivity will also eat algae, so having rocks in the tank is so important. Sand sifting is the most popular technique of gathering protein. You may give your fish spirulina-based flakes as a protein source.
Protein-rich snacks such as krill can be offered on an intermittent basis. Red Empress Cichlids are notorious for overindulging. It’s preferable to offer several little meals throughout the day rather.
Origin And Distribution
These African Cichlid species originate from Lake Malawi in Africa. These Cichlid species are distinctive outlier among Cichlids, as it is known for their non-aggressive behavior. They’re quite docile and will spend their days in the tank swimming.
Like other fish from the East African region, the Red Empress Cichlid starts rather drab in color but matures into spectacular rainbow colors. They can grow up to 6 inches long, and while they are generally peaceful unless breeding, males and females will become enraged.
This is to be expected, as both males and females get angry. Males are usually aggressive towards each other, so it’s best to keep this species with multiple females to one male unless your tank is large enough to house more than one male.
How Many Times A Day Should I Feed My Cichlids?
Feed them three to four times a day with a quantity they can consume in 30 seconds each time. This feeding method helps to control a cichlid’s competition for food.
Cichlids are voracious (borderline obtrusive) feeders, implying they can wolf down a substantial quantity of food in less than half a minute.
These fish feeds on aufwuchs (loosely defined as the cover that grows on rocks), loose stringy algae that are attached to rocks, zooplankton, and tiny invertebrates. An aquarium should be fed with spirulina flakes and meaty foods like frozen or freeze-dried Mysis and krill.
Vegetable food should make up the majority of their diet. Including foods with high-nutrient herbivorous content with added pigmentation properties to the diet can enhance their color.
When these goldfish are eating, the stomach will expand until the fish is distended. As a result, be cautious not to overfeed, or your fish will lose their slender and natural appearance.
Maintain the number of small meals you offer at a time, as they are particularly vulnerable to Malawi Bloat. They may profit from having their food soaked in Vitamin C on occasion.
Difference Between Male Red Empress Cichlid And Female Red Empress Cichlid
The females aren’t so brilliant. This is because some different species of fish have varying degrees of coloration, which differ from one another. Their bodies are often silvery in tone with varied dark spots, lines, or blotches and occasionally a hint of orange in their fins, depending on their origin.
Look at their dorsal and anal fins to determine their genders. Males have fins that are sharp and pointed, while females have round ones.
Red Empress Cichlid Breeding
The Red Empress cichlids are a very easy breed to manage. These fish have been successfully propagated in aquariums for many years. They’re mouthbrooders and are the same as other Cichlids. It’s a fascinating breeding procedure.
The male performs the selection, choosing a clear area in the sand or a flat rock. He will then chase the females until one of them follows him to the chosen location. The male will shake out vertically at this point.
The female lays about 40 to 50 eggs in her mouth and then places around 40 to 50 of them. The female subsequently gathers male sperm for fertilization.
The eggs of the Red Empress Cichlid take three to four weeks to hatch, and they stay in the mouth for the whole gestation period. The eggs are kept in the female’s mouth from beginning to end.
The parenting behavior of Red Empress Cichlids is typical. The males and females will both defend the newborn fry after they hatch. They’ll watch over them until they’re able to swim on their own.
Red Empress Cichlid Tank Mates
The Red Empress Cichlids are peaceful. However, they are not thought of as community fish. They get along with other species just fine. These species of fish require some advanced planning to keep them.
The Tank and Aquarium Hobbyist’s Association (TAHRA) ranks these as the fourth most popular cichlid species, with thousands of specimens available in homes worldwide. These fish species are known for being aggressive toward others in smaller tank environments.
Other Malawi Cichlids may also be kept in the same tank. However, you must ensure that your tank has adequate area for each fish to have its own territory.
These non-aggressive Cichlid species should be kept with other species even with the same-sized and semi-aggressive fish species. But make sure your tank has ample space with more hiding places such as rocks and caves.
The following are some suitable tank mates for the Red Empress Cichlid.
- Pictus Catfish
- Blood Parrot Cichlid
- Convict Cichlid
- Peacock Cichlid
- Firemouth Cichlid
- Venustus Cichlid
- Livingston Cichlid
- Ropefish
Are Red Empress Cichlids Aggressive?
Since most Cichlids exhibits aggressive behavior, the Red Empress Cichlids are unique species. They’re rather docile and will spend most of their days swimming in the tank.
This species does much background rock work, creating holes and caves as hideouts for females during the mating season. They also enjoy vertical rocks and will tend to use a flat, smooth stone for spawning. They are rarely aggressive towards tankmates.
The female refuses to give up her territory even during mating, and she relinquishes it after the spawn is done. These are a ‘sand sifter’ cichlid that excels at keeping the top of the substrate clean, but it isn’t a big digger, so it’s acceptable in even a planted aquarium.
Make sure the plants do not obstruct the fish from open swimming areas.
How Big Does A Red Empress Get?
The Male Red Empress Cichlids can reach a maximum length of 6 inches long while the average Femail Red Empress Cichlid size is around 5 inches.
How Long Does It Take Red Empress Cichlid To Get Full Grown?
The average age of sexual maturity for the Red Empress Cichlid is 8 to 9 months. Most fish will continue to develop after that time until they attain their mature size. For freshwater fish, their growth rate is roughly average.
If you want the Red Empress Cichlid to grow huge, it is vital to offer them a large tank. Important to provide them with a large tank. If they have enough space, their chances of continuing to develop are far higher.
How Much A Red Empress Cichlid Cost?
The Red Empress Cichlid isn’t that much expensive. They range from $10 to $25 depending on the size and the availability.
Final Thoughts
The Red Empress Cichlid is one of the popular freshwater fish species, and only a few other species can compete with their elegance.
They’re great fish to keep in your aquarium because it is peaceful fish that seldom causes problems in your tank. This fish species won’t give you a hard time to care for.
