Protomelas

Taxobox
name = "Protomelas"

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image_width = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Perciformes
familia = Cichlidae
genus = "Protomelas""Protomelas" is a cichlid genus endemic to Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa. The genus is part of the Haplochromine flock and show maternal mouthbrooding and sexual dimorphism typical of this group. The genus currently includes 16 species. Popular in the aquarium hobby, "Promelas" sp. are sold under a variety of trade names.

pecies commonly available to the aquarist

*"Protomelas dejunctus" Fire Blue Haplochromis
*"Protomelas kirkii"
*"Protomelas fenestratus"
*"Protomelas marginatus"
*"Protomelas similis"
*"Protomelas taeniolatus" (red empress, pictured right)