Protomelas sp. ‘Steveni Eastern’
Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern” is a species that has not yet been officially described. The genus name Protomelas can be divided into two parts: “Protos,” which means “first,” and “Melas,” which means “black.” This nomenclature references the black melanin pattern that existed in the ancestors of this genus. The species name “Steveni Eastern” honors the discoverer and indicates the location where this species was first observed.
Description
Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern” has a streamlined body typical of cichlids. The head is usually blue with a metallic sheen, while the flank is a vivid blue color, often with green or gold hues. The fins are bright and can vary from blue to orange, depending on the sex and mood of the fish. This species can reach a maximum length of 15 to 20 centimeters.
Males tend to be brighter colored than females, with more intense blue and orange tones, especially during the breeding season. Females tend to be less colorful, with a more muted gray or brownish color. Behaviorally, males tend to be territorial and can be more aggressive, especially during breeding. Juveniles are less colorful and do not yet show adult characteristics.
As for behavior, the Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern” is generally social and semi-aggressive. They prefer to live in groups and are not particularly shy. These fish swim mainly in the middle layers of the aquarium but can also explore the bottom.
In the wild they can reach a life expectancy of 7 to 10 years, and with proper care in an aquarium they can also reach this age.
Biotope
Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern” is native to Malawi, specifically the rocky shores of Lake Malawi. This lake is one of Africa’s largest and deepest lakes, located in the southeast of the continent.
This species lives in a lake and can be found in the rocky areas of the lake, where they hide between the rocks. The natural habitat is usually poor in underwater vegetation, with bare edges and rocky substrates.
The soil consists of sand or fine gravel, which allows them to dig and hide. Their natural enemies are mainly larger cichlids and predatory fish, but they are also hunters and feed on smaller organisms.
Diet
In the wild, the Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern” primarily has an omnivorous diet, favoring algae and small invertebrates. In an aquarium setting, their diet can include high-quality cichlid pellets, as well as frozen or live foods like brine shrimp and mosquito larvae. They also benefit from plant-based foods such as spirulina.
It is important to avoid overfeeding as this can lead to water pollution and health problems.
The Aquarium
For keeping Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern,” an aquarium of at least 150 centimeters in length, is recommended. If you want to keep multiple pairs, the aquarium should be considerably larger.
The aquarium should be decorated with rocks and hiding places to mimic their natural habitat. Using sand or fine gravel as a substrate is ideal, as this allows them to dig without injuring themselves.
The optimal water conditions for this species include a pH of 7.5 to 8.5 and a temperature range of 22°C to 26°C.
Suitable tankmates are other Malawi cichlids such as Aulonocara and Haplochromids. Avoid keeping with smaller or aggressive species.
Breeding aquarium and conditioning
The Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern” can be bred successfully in a standard aquarium, provided that the conditions are optimal. While a dedicated breeding tank of at least 300 liters can be beneficial for monitoring the breeding process and protecting the fry from other fish, it is not absolutely necessary.
Water Quality and Lighting
For successful breeding it is important to keep the water quality high. The ideal temperature is between 22°C and 26°C, with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5 and a hardness of 10 to 16 dGH. It is advisable to maintain a natural day-night cycle in the lighting, promoting the fish’s natural behavior.
Filter and Substrate
A well-functioning filtration system ensures water quality, especially since Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern” is an active and sometimes messy fish. A sandy substrate is ideal, as it mimics the natural habitat and allows the fish to dig without injuring themselves.
Conditioning the Fish
For conditioning the fish, a diet of high-quality, high-protein foods, such as live or frozen foods, including brine shrimp and mosquito larvae, is recommended. This will help get the fish in top condition for breeding. Temporarily separating the males and females is not necessary, but it can be helpful to allow the females to recover and prepare for the next breeding round. To minimize stress and aggression, an ideal ratio in a breeding group is one male to three to four females.
The Spawn
During spawning, the colours of the male Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern” become more intense. The males show a vivid blue color with a striking yellow or white-blue glow on their heads, which makes them more attractive to the females.
Courting Ritual
The courtship ritual of Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern” is typical for Malawi cichlids. The males are territorial and try to attract a female to their territory by displaying their colors and showing off their fins. They spread their fins wide and make vibrating movements to attract the attention of the females. This behavior helps them to attract the females to their chosen spot for laying eggs.
Laying the Eggs
Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern” is a mouthbrooding species, meaning that females carry the eggs in their mouths after laying them. Once the female has joined the male, they work together to find a suitable spot in the sand. The female swims around the male and lays one or more eggs, which the male then fertilizes. After fertilization, the female collects the eggs in her mouth, continuing this process until all the eggs have been laid and gathered.
Number and Characteristics of Eggs
A female can lay between 24 and 40 eggs per brood. The eggs are relatively large and are well protected in the female’s mouth until they hatch. The color of the eggs is usually off-white.
Raising the fry
The eggs of Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern” usually hatch after a few days. After hatching, the young remain in the mother’s mouth for some time before they start to swim freely. This usually occurs about 21 days after the eggs are laid. Once the young are free swimming, they are released by the mother to search for food.
In Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern” the female assumes sole care of the young. She holds the young in her mouth for protection until they are large enough to survive independently. Parental care by the mother may sometimes continue for several weeks after the young become free swimming
First food
The fry need to be fed fine live food, such as baby brine shrimp, which is essential for their growth and development. It’s important to feed them several times a day to ensure they receive enough nutrients. They can also eat finely crushed flake food, as long as it is small enough for them to consume.
Breeding Larger Numbers of Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern”
To improve the survival rate of the fry, it’s advisable to remove the female fish on day 18 of the breeding process and transfer her to a separate rearing tank. This step is crucial because the fry, which are currently in the mother’s mouth, are about to become free-swimming. By removing the female at this time, the fry can be safely released without the risk of being eaten by other Malawi cichlids in the main tank.
Steps for raising the fry
- Remove the brooding female: On day 18, when the eggs are almost hatched, it is time to remove the female fish carefully. This can be done with a net, taking care to cause the fish as little stress as possible.
- Place in a rearing Tank: Place the captive female in a special growing-up tank. This tank should be well-equipped with enough hiding places, such as rocks so that the young fish can feel safe once they are released.
- Releasing the fry: Once the female is comfortable in the new tank, she will release the young fish. This usually occurs within a few hours to a few days, depending on the mother’s stress levels and the environment.
- Female Reintroduction: Place the female back in the main aquarium. The young fish can now take care of themselves.
- Care for the fry: After releasing the fry, it’s crucial to feed them regularly with fine foods, such as baby brine shrimp or specialized food for young cichlids. Additionally, ensure that the water quality remains optimal by performing regular water changes and maintaining effective filtration.
By following these steps, aquarium owners can significantly increase the survival rate of young Protomelas sp. “Steveni Eastern”, leading to successful breeding and a healthy aquarium population.
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Author
John de Lange
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