Protomelas taeniolatus (Likoma Is.)

Tangerine Tiger Cichlid

Max Size:

9.0"

Temperament:

Semi-aggressive

Water Temperature:

78 - 82°F

Diet:

Herbivore

Min. Tank Size:

90 Gal

Description:

The Protomelas taeniolatus (Likoma Is.) or Tangerine Tiger cichlid is a larger Haplochromis from Lake Malawi that is native to the waters around Likoma Island. Males can grow to be almost 12" but are usually 8" or 9" in an aquarium. The dazzling colors on males are what make these fish popular with aquarium owners. They feature blue heads, red/orange dorsal, anal, and tail fins, and yellow bodies with black vertical stripes.

Compatibility:

Tangerine cichlids are mildly aggressive, and can be kept in a tank other Haps, Peacocks or mildly aggressive Mbuna. When spawning, a male will show higher levels of aggression towards other male Tangerine Tigers and closely related species. Some compatible African cichlids are the Red Top Lawanda Peacock, the Venustus, and the Red Fin Borleyi cichlid.

Tank Requirements and Feeding:

In a home aquarium, a male Tangerine Tiger can grow to be up to 9". The tank needs to be big enough to accommodate the size of these fish. The substrate should be sand or fine gravel and there should be plenty of rocks to create caves and passageways for the fish to claim territories or seek protection. The water should be hard with a temperature between 78-82°F and a pH of 7.8-8.6. Additives like Cichlid Lake Salt and Malawi/Victoria Buffer will condition the aquarium water for African cichlids.

The Protomelas taeniolatus (Likoma Island), Tangerine Tiger cichlid is a herbivore and should be fed foods that are high in vegetable matter. A healthy diet should include commercial foods like pellets and flakes that are spirulina based.

Breeding:

The Tangerine Tiger cichlid is a sexually dimorphic, meaning that the males display the bright blue, yellow and orange colors and females remain a silverish-grey color with black vertical stripes. Males will also grow to be larger than the females.

Tangerine Tiger cichlids are mouthbrooders, which means that the female will carry the eggs and fry in her mouth to protect them after spawning. In a home aquarium it is best to have one male and several females to divide the male's attention up between the females. After spawning, the female will pick up the eggs and carry them in her mouth for three weeks or longer.

These fish will spawn with other closely related Protomelas species. If you do not want hybridization, the Tangerine tiger cichlid should not be kept with Taiwan Reef cichlids, Super Red Empress cichlids or other closely related Haplochromis from Lake Malawi.