Platinum OB Super Red Empress

Platinum OB Super Red Empress

Protomelas taeniolatus

Platinum OB Super Red Empress is a line-bred OB Red Empress strain with a pale platinum look, broken OB patterning, and strong red-empress color potential as males mature. It is a showy hap for customers who like Red Empress body shape with a more individual pattern.

Origin and Habitat

• Native Region: Aquarium line-bred strain from Lake Malawi Red Empress stock.
• Natural Habitat: Sediment-free rocky habitat in the wild form; provide open water and rock structure in aquariums.

Physical Characteristics

• Size: 8-9 inches.
• Coloration: Platinum and OB patterning with red-empress color potential; males color most strongly with maturity and dominance.
• Body Shape: Large, laterally compressed hap body.

Behavior and Temperament

• Temperament: Mildly aggressive.
• Social Behavior: Best with similar-size Malawi peacocks and haps.

Aquarium Care

• Tank Size: A 75 gallon aquarium or larger is recommended.
• Water Parameters: 74-84°F, pH 7.4-8.4, hard water.
• Tank Setup: Use sand, open swimming space, rockwork for shelter and sight breaks, and strong filtration.

Diet and Feeding

• Primary Staple: Feed a quality daily diet such as Ron’s Peacock & Hap Adult Food.
• Juveniles: Growing fish can be fed Ron’s Juvenile Food.
• Fry: Newly released fry should be started on Ron’s Fry Food.
• Feeding Frequency: Feed 1–2 small meals daily and avoid overfeeding.

Breeding

• Breeding Type: Maternal mouthbrooder.
• Breeding Notes: Males display over preferred areas and females hold eggs and fry in the mouth. Fry should be protected after release.

Tank Mates

• Compatible With: Lake Malawi peacocks and haps of similar size and temperament.
• Avoid: Small fish, very aggressive mbuna, and tanks with too little swimming room.