{"product_id":"red-empress-cichlid","title":"Red Empress Cichlid - 10cm","description":"\u003ch2 data-end=\"141\" data-start=\"119\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"141\" data-start=\"122\"\u003eSpecies Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"192\" data-start=\"145\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"165\" data-start=\"145\"\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-end=\"190\" data-start=\"166\"\u003eProtomelas taeniolatus\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"192\" data-start=\"145\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"211\" data-start=\"195\"\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red Empress Cichlid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"192\" data-start=\"145\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"251\" data-start=\"236\"\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–6 inches (13–15 cm), with some males reaching up to 7 inches (18 cm) in large tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"192\" data-start=\"145\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"362\" data-start=\"342\"\u003eLife Expectancy:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–10 years with proper care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"192\" data-start=\"145\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"407\" data-start=\"395\"\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Native to Lake Malawi, Africa; typically found in rocky areas and open waters near sediment-free zones with clear, alkaline water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"544\" data-start=\"541\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"571\" data-start=\"546\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"571\" data-start=\"550\"\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"684\" data-start=\"575\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"597\" data-start=\"575\"\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 55 gallons for a single male and a few females; larger if mixing with other cichlids\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"684\" data-start=\"575\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"709\" data-start=\"687\"\u003eIdeal Temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–82°F (24–28°C)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"684\" data-start=\"575\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"745\" data-start=\"732\"\u003epH Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.8–8.6\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"684\" data-start=\"575\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"777\" data-start=\"758\"\u003eWater Hardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–20 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"684\" data-start=\"575\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"808\" data-start=\"792\"\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-aggressive; males can be territorial, especially during breeding. Best kept with other similarly sized and tempered Malawi cichlids. Avoid keeping multiple males in small tanks unless heavily decorated and spacious.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1034\" data-start=\"1031\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1060\" data-start=\"1036\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1060\" data-start=\"1040\"\u003eDiet \u0026amp; Nutrition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1085\" data-start=\"1064\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1079\" data-start=\"1064\"\u003eOmnivorous:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\n\u003cul data-end=\"1348\" data-start=\"1088\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1145\" data-start=\"1090\"\u003eFeeds well on high-quality cichlid pellets and flakes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1145\" data-start=\"1090\"\u003eSupplement with spirulina, blanched vegetables (like zucchini or spinach), and occasional protein sources like brine shrimp or krill\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1348\" data-start=\"1287\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1348\" data-start=\"1289\"\u003eAvoid high-protein or meaty diets to prevent Malawi bloat\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1353\" data-start=\"1350\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1373\" data-start=\"1355\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1373\" data-start=\"1359\"\u003eAppearance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1504\" data-start=\"1377\"\u003eMales are known for their striking coloration: a fiery blend of red, orange, and blue that intensifies with age and dominance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1504\" data-start=\"1377\"\u003eFemales are typically silver or grey, often with faint horizontal striping\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1504\" data-start=\"1377\"\u003eElongated body with a slightly arched back and long, pointed dorsal and anal fins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1674\" data-start=\"1671\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1704\" data-start=\"1676\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1704\" data-start=\"1680\"\u003eDistinctive Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1771\" data-start=\"1708\"\u003eBrilliant coloration in males earns it the name “Red Empress”\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1771\" data-start=\"1708\"\u003eDisplays sexual dimorphism—only males show bright colors, making them a centerpiece fish in display tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1771\" data-start=\"1708\"\u003ePeaceful for a Haplochromine cichlid, though still assertive—ideal in species or mixed Lake Malawi community setups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1771\" data-start=\"1708\"\u003eMouthbrooding species: females incubate eggs in their mouths for ~21 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1771\" data-start=\"1708\"\u003eBest kept with open swimming space and rocky caves for hiding and territory separation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Fiora Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42811030929450,"sku":"","price":55.0,"currency_code":"QAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0599\/6747\/1658\/files\/RedEmpressCichlid.jpg?v=1747561717","url":"https:\/\/fioraaquatic.com\/ar\/products\/red-empress-cichlid","provider":"Fiora Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}