Malawi Cichlids
Protomelas spilonotus
Protomelas spilonotus
Photo: Brian Gratwicke · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Temperature24–27 °C
- pH7.5–8.5
- Minimum tank400 l
- Adult size18 cm
- Difficulty★★☆☆☆
- TemperamentSemi-aggressive
- WaterFresh
Full profile
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
- Size
- 18 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 and 3 females
- Minimum aquarium size
- 400 L
- Diet
- omnivore
- Reproduction
- oviparous; maternal mouthbrooding
Notes: Males are blue with a yellow dorsal fin and yellow back in some localities (“Tanzania”). A good choice for large aquariums.
