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Protomelas pleurotaenia


Protomelas pleurotaenia is living in reasonable shallow water, to about 10 meters, in intermediate zones from rocks to sand and in areas with vegetation. They can be found all around the lake.


The males of these species can grow to about 14 cm in the lake. In the aquarium however they can grow a little taller because of a good feeding. The males can then grow to about 16 cm, females grow to about 12 cm.


Protomelas pleurotaenia is a quiet, peaceful cichlid which can be hold best with multiple females in a large tank with a lot of swimming space. Mbunas are generally too aggresive for this species.


In the lake they are mainly feeding themselves with invertebrates which they find in the sand, by "blowing" the sand, in which they hide. In the aquarium they are comfortable with any food. They take everything they get offered, like spirulina pellets, mysis, artemia, cyclops and shrimp-peas mix.