Home/Store/Fish Out of Stock
Red Empress Hap Cichlid - (Protomelas taeniolatus)

Red Empress Hap Cichlid - (Protomelas taeniolatus)

$50.00
Sold out
Price of shipping is not included.
Size
Questions, Comments, Concerns? Let us know!
Enter your text
Sold out
Save this fish to my favorites.
Customer reviews
Reviews only from verified customers
No reviews yet. You can buy this product and be the first to leave a review.
Share this product with your friends
ShareSharePin it
Red Empress Hap Cichlid - (Protomelas taeniolatus)
Fish Details, Description and Information Below:

🐟 Red Empress Hap Cichlid – (Protomelas taeniolatus) – Vibrant African Cichlid for Sale

The Red Empress Hap (Protomelas taeniolatus) is one of the most strikingly colorful Lake Malawi cichlids, known for its iridescent blue face, fiery red-orange body, and shimmering fins. Males develop the most vivid coloration as they mature, while females are typically silver-gray with subtle markings.

Peaceful for a Malawi cichlid, the Red Empress can be kept with other non-aggressive haps and peacocks in a spacious, rocky setup. Their vibrant colors and relatively calm nature make them a favorite for African cichlid enthusiasts.


🔎 Quick Facts – Red Empress Hap Cichlid (Protomelas taeniolatus)

  • 📛 Common Names: Red Empress, Spindle Hap
  • 🔬 Scientific Name: Protomelas taeniolatus
  • 🌍 Origin: Lake Malawi, Africa
  • 🎨 Appearance: Males display metallic blue heads with brilliant red-orange flanks and fins; females are silver with faint horizontal barring
  • 📏 Max Size: 6–7 inches (15–18 cm)
  • 💎 Availability: Common in the aquarium trade; mostly captive-bred

😇 Behavior & Temperament

  • 🤝 Generally peaceful compared to other Malawi cichlids
  • 👫 Best kept in harems (one male with several females) to reduce aggression
  • 🐟 Active swimmers that enjoy open space
  • 🧠 Social and interactive in groups

🏠 Aquarium & Tank Requirements

  • 📦 Minimum Tank Size: 75+ gallons
  • 🌿 Rockwork and caves for territory and shelter
  • 🪵 Sandy substrate preferred
  • 💡 Bright lighting to enhance coloration
  • 🌊 Strong filtration and good water movement

💧 Water Parameters – Red Empress Hap Cichlid Care

  • 🌡️ Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
  • ⚗️ pH: 7.5–8.6
  • 💧 Hardness: Hard, alkaline water

🍽️ Diet – Omnivorous with Herbivorous Leaning

  • 🌾 High-quality cichlid pellets (spirulina-based)
  • 🦐 Occasional frozen brine shrimp or mysis shrimp
  • 🥬 Blanched vegetables such as spinach or zucchini
  • ⚠️ Avoid excessive high-protein foods to prevent Malawi bloat

📋 Red Empress Hap Cichlid Care Overview Table

Feature Details
🌍 Origin Lake Malawi, Africa
📏 Max Size 6–7 inches (15–18 cm)
😇 Temperament Peaceful for a Malawi cichlid
🏠 Tank Size 75+ gallons
⚗️ pH Range 7.5–8.6
🌡️ Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C)
🍽️ Diet Omnivorous (herbivorous leaning)
🎯 Ideal For African cichlid community tanks

✨ Highlight:

  • The Red Empress Hap Cichlid is prized for its spectacular coloration and relatively peaceful temperament, making it one of the most desirable African cichlids for vibrant community setups.
Show More
Below are fish you may also like.
Wild Caught
Striped Raphael For Sale Online
Striped Raphael/Humbug Catfish - (Platydoras armatulus)
Striped Raphael/Humbug Catfish - (Platydoras armatulus)
Price of shipping is not included.
5.0
(1)
was $35.00
Save 29%
$25.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
L134 Leopard Frog Pleco - (Peckoltia compta)
L134 Leopard Frog Pleco - (Peckoltia compta)
L134 Leopard Frog Pleco - (Peckoltia compta)
Price of shipping is not included.
was $80.00
Save 6%
$75.00
Wild Caught
L045 Coco Bristlenose - (Ancistrus sp.)
L045 Coco Bristlenose - (Ancistrus sp.)
L045 Coco Bristlenose - (Ancistrus sp.)
Price of shipping is not included.
$40.00
Out of stock
Captive Bred
Kyoga flameback - (Haplochromis sp. Flameback)
Kyoga flameback - (Haplochromis sp. Flameback)
Kyoga flameback - (Haplochromis sp. Flameback)
Price of shipping is not included.
$40.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
L431 Jatupu Toad Pleco - (Paralithoxus sp.)
L431 Jatupu Toad Pleco - (Paralithoxus sp.)
L431 Jatupu Toad Pleco - (Paralithoxus sp.)
Price of shipping is not included.
$45.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
Gymnogeophagus lipokarenos
Gymnogeophagus lipokarenos
Gymnogeophagus lipokarenos
Price of shipping is not included.
$55.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
L461 Bolivian Wart Pleco - (Ancistrini sp.)
L461 Bolivian Wart Pleco - (Ancistrini sp.)
L461 Bolivian Wart Pleco - (Ancistrini sp.)
Price of shipping is not included.
$45.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
LDA058 Huacamayo Dwarf Ancistrus - (Ancistrus sp.)
LDA058 Huacamayo Dwarf Ancistrus - (Ancistrus sp.)
LDA058 Huacamayo Dwarf Ancistrus - (Ancistrus sp.)
Price of shipping is not included.
$30.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
Caquetaia Kraussii
Caquetaia Kraussii
Caquetaia Kraussii
Price of shipping is not included.
$45.00
Out of stock
Captive Bred
Red Cauliflower Highfin Swordtail - (Xiphophorus helleri)
Red Cauliflower Highfin Swordtail - (Xiphophorus helleri)
Red Cauliflower Highfin Swordtail - (Xiphophorus helleri)
Price of shipping is not included.
was $25.00
Save 20%
$20.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
L404 Pearlspotted Angel Pleco - (Hypancistrus margaritatus)
L404 Pearlspotted Angel Pleco - (Hypancistrus margaritatus)
L404 Pearlspotted Angel Pleco - (Hypancistrus margaritatus)
Price of shipping is not included.
$50.00
Out of stock
Captive Bred
Motoro Stingray/Ocellate River Stingray - (Potamotrygon Motoro)
Motoro Stingray/Ocellate River Stingray - (Potamotrygon Motoro)
Motoro Stingray/Ocellate River Stingray - (Potamotrygon Motoro)
Price of shipping is not included.
$250.00
Out of stock
  • Search for Fish
  • My Account
  • Track Orders
  • Favorite Fish.
  • Fish Shopping Bag
Powered by Lightspeed
Display prices in:USD
Skip to main content
ENES
Menu
Home
Shop For Fish
Terms & Conditions
Shipping & Payments
About Us
Contact Us
© Jasons Plecos & Cichlids LLC 2017-2025
Language:
ENES
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyShipping & Payment InfoReturn PolicyQuarantine Your FishReport abuse
Powered by Lightspeed