Malawi Cichlids
Protomelas similis
Protomelas similis
Key facts
- Temperature24–27 °C
- pH7.5–8.5
- Minimum tank350 l
- Adult size15 cm
- Difficulty★★☆☆☆
- TemperamentSemi-aggressive
- WaterFresh
Full profile
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi (Vallisneria meadows)
- Size
- 15 cm
- Temperature
- 24 – 27°C
- pH
- 7.5 – 8.5
- GH
- 10 – 20 °dGH
- Difficulty
- ★★☆☆☆
- Water type
- tropical freshwater (hard and alkaline)
- Swimming level
- medium
- Behavior
- semi-aggressive
- Minimum number of individuals
- 1 male with 3 or more females
- Minimum aquarium size
- 350 L
- Diet
- omnivore with a plant-based diet
- Reproduction
- oviparous; maternal mouthbrooding
Notes: Scrapes biofilm off the Vallisneria leaves in the tank. Has a dark horizontal band, and males display green and red hues. Can be kept with hardy plants such as Anubias.
