At what size do Taiwan Reef Cichlids start showing colour?

Males typically begin to transition from their juvenile silver colouration to their vibrant adult blues and yellows when they reach around 7 to 10 cm in length, usually between 8 and 12 months of age.

Can I keep more than one male Taiwan Reef in the same tank?

It is generally not recommended unless the aquarium is exceptionally large (over 500 litres) with abundant visual barriers. In standard setups, the dominant male will aggressively pursue subdominant males, causing severe stress.

Why is my Taiwan Reef Cichlid losing its colour?

Colour loss is usually a sign of stress. This can be caused by poor water quality, an aggressive tank mate bullying the fish, or a diet lacking in colour-enhancing ingredients like spirulina and astaxanthin.

Will they eat my plants?

Yes, as omnivores that naturally graze on algae, they are likely to nibble on soft-leaved plants. If you wish to keep live plants, choose tough species like Anubias or Java Fern, and secure them firmly to rocks.

How many females should I keep with one male?

A minimum ratio of one male to three or four females is highly recommended. This ensures that the male's breeding advances are spread out, preventing any single female from being stressed or exhausted.

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

Taiwan Reef Cichlid

Protomelas sp. 'Steveni Taiwan'

The Taiwan Reef Cichlid is a stunning Lake Malawi Haplochromine, celebrated for the adult male's vibrant yellow body, blue head, and red anal fin.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 24 – 28 °C
pH range: 7.8 – 8.6
Hardness: 10 – 25 dGH
Adult size: 13 – 16 cm
Adult harem: 250 litres+
Lifespan: 8 – 10 years
Diet: Omnivorous; requires high-quality spirulina and cichlid pellets, supplemented with occasional frozen foods like mysis shrimp. Avoid mammalian meat.
Water flow: moderate
Preferred setup: Rocky outcrops with numerous caves and line-of-sight breaks, alongside open sandy swimming spaces.

About the Taiwan Reef Cichlid

Protomelas sp. 'Steveni Taiwan' is one of the most vividly coloured 'Haps' in the aquarium hobby. Juvenile and female specimens exhibit a subtle silver-grey body with dark horizontal barring, but mature dominant males undergo a spectacular transformation. They develop a brilliant blue face and neck, a bright yellow body with faint vertical stripes, and striking red markings on their fins. Despite their striking appearance, they are relatively mild-mannered compared to many other Lake Malawi cichlids, making them an excellent centrepiece for a carefully planned African cichlid community.

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Is it right for your tank?

Check Taiwan Reef Cichlid against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Taiwan Reef Cichlid comes from

Native range

Lake Malawi

Countries / regions

Malawi, Mozambique

Habitat

Rocky habitats and submerged reefs within Lake Malawi, typically found at depths of 10 to 20 metres.

Primarily collected from a submerged reef just north of Chizumulu Island, which was named 'Taiwan' by early exporters.

Similar species

Red Empress
Protomelas taeniolatus
Tangerine Tiger
Protomelas sp. 'Tangerine Tiger'
Electric Blue Hap
Sciaenochromis fryeri

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Stuartgranti Peacock
Aulonocara stuartgranti
Peaceful Lake Malawi species that share similar water requirements and will not actively compete for the same rocky territories.
Great
Red Fin Borleyi
Copadichromis borleyi
Another relatively mild-mannered Haplochromine that occupies open water, reducing territorial clashes.
Great
Cuckoo Catfish
Synodontis multipunctatus
Robust Rift Lake catfish that thrive in hard water and will easily hold their own among Haps.
Great
Yellow Lab
Labidochromis caeruleus
While often peaceful enough for a Hap tank, Mbuna can occasionally be too boisterous and require close monitoring.
Compatible with caution
Auratus Cichlid
Melanochromis auratus
Highly aggressive and territorial Mbuna that will outcompete and likely stress or injure the milder Taiwan Reef Cichlid.
Not recommended

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