Protomelas taeniolatus
TREWAVAS, 1935

	Photo © Michael Persson
The Protomelas taeniolatus strain from Namalenje Is. is most often called "Red empress" or "Hinderi".

Trade names and synonyms
Haplochromis hinderi, Haplochromis fire blue, Haplochromis red empress, Haplochromis taeniolatus, Cyrtocara taeniolata, Cyrtocara taeniolatus, Haplochromis cancellus Haplochromis steveni, Haplochromis fenestratus, Haplochromis boadzulu.

Size
Can reach about 13-15 cm (5-6 in.), females are smaller.

Food
Shrimp mix and mysis.

Aquarium
From 400 (90 gal.) litres and above.

Habitat

Breeding

General
This is a rather tough Protomelas which also manage mbunas as company in the aquarium.
It is a greedy cichlid which easily will grow fat together with company that is too shy during feeding.
There should be at least three females per male and there has to be enough of hiding-places for the females.
My favourite variant, the "red empress" is a real nice jewel in a malawi tank, bright red-shining over the entire body and metallic-blue face.

Distribution
Protomelas taeniolatus occurs in a number of different colourations around the lake.
The variant called "red empress" (see pictures below) is found around Senga Point and Namalenje Island in Malawi.

	Photo © Michael Persson
Protomelas taeniolatus "Fire blue" male from Makanjila Point, Malawi.