Taiwan Reef Cichlid,

The Taiwan Reef Cichlid, provisionally classified as Protomelas sp. "steveni taiwan", is a stunning, highly sought-after African cichlid endemic to the rocky underwater structures of Lake Malawi. Contrary to its common name, it does not come from East Asia; instead, it is named after Taiwanee Reef, an offshore rock formation located near Chizumulu Island.

Quick Care Overview

Parameter	Specification
Scientific Name	Protomelas sp. "steveni taiwan" (closely related to P. taeniolatus)
Adult Size	6 to 7 inches (15–18 cm) for males; females are smaller
Minimum Tank Size	75 gallons (90–125 gallons preferred for groups)
Water Temperature	23–27°C (73–81°F)
Water Chemistry	pH 7.4–8.6, moderately hard to very hard water
Diet	Herbivore/Omnivore (requires heavy algae/spirulina rotation)
Temperament	Semi-aggressive, territorial over rock structures

Key Attributes & Detailed Care

Breathtaking Sexual Dimorphism: Fully matured males feature a brilliant blue head, a gold-to-purple body, a glowing white blaze along the dorsal fin, and deep orange or red lower fins. Females and juveniles remain a modest, camouflaging silvery-gray with dark vertical bars.
Dietary Needs: In their natural habitat, they use a specialized suction technique to scrap and graze algae from rocks. In an aquarium, they should be fed high-quality spirulina flakes, algae wafers, and specialized cichlid pellets from retailers like Ron's Cichlids. Limit heavy proteins like bloodworms, as they are highly susceptible to Malawi bloat.
Aquarium Setup: Provide a layout heavily focused on rocky caves and crevices alongside wide-open swimming corridors. They generate substantial waste, so utilize robust filtration and maintain strict water quality standards with routine water changes.
Compatibility: They coexist best with other similarly sized Lake Malawi Haps and Peacock cichlids (e.g., Sulfur Heads or Sunshine Peacocks). Avoid housing them with overly hyper-aggressive Mbuna cichlids or tiny community fish.