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Protomelas ornatus "Manda"


Protomelas ornatus is living in the intermediate zones from rocks to sand and can be found in entire Lake Malawi, frequently in shallow water. However, they are not found in the real rocky environments of small islands and reefs. This variant can be found near Manda.


The males of these species can grow to about 25 cm in the lake. In the aquarium however they can grow taller because of a good feeding. The males can then grow to about 28 cm, females grow to about 22 cm.


Protomelas ornatus is a cichlid which can be hold best with multiple females in a large tank with a lot of swimming space. It's possible to keep them together with large mbunas but it's necessary there's enough space for them.


In the lake they are feeding themselves with small cancroids and they hunt for little fish. 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.