Taiwan Reef Cichlid (Protomelas sp. 'Steveni Taiwan')

Taiwan Reef Cichlid is the aquarium trade name for Protomelas sp. 'Steveni Taiwan', an undescribed Lake Malawi cichlid associated with deep, rocky reef habitat. One quantity means one live, unsexed juvenile fish in the selected approximate dispatch size: 2-3 cm or 4-5 cm. Sex, adult colour, exact markings and the particular fish shown in the gallery are not guaranteed.

This is a specialist Malawi cichlid, not a general community fish. It needs hard, alkaline water, high oxygen, a long aquarium with open swimming room and secure rockwork. Adult male territories require generous space, and an unsuitable final sex ratio may require fish to be separated. Juveniles can look silver-grey and barred; the familiar blue, yellow and red display belongs mainly to mature, settled males.

Taiwan Reef Cichlid quick facts

Trade identity	Taiwan Reef Cichlid, Protomelas sp. 'Steveni Taiwan'
Classification	Order Cichliformes; family Cichlidae; genus Protomelas
What one quantity buys	A single live juvenile; sex is not selected
Dispatch sizes	Choose approximately 2-3 cm or 4-5 cm
Adult planning size	Size reports differ: 12-15 cm in one account, about 13 cm for females and 17 cm for males in another; allow for a male approaching 20 cm
Aquarium plan	About 300 litres and at least 130 cm long for one male with several females; larger for mixed displays or more than one male
Temperature	23-27°C, with stability more important than chasing an exact number
pH	7.5-8.5
General hardness	Hard, mineral-rich water; approximately 10-30 dGH
Diet	Algae-led, vegetable-rich Malawi cichlid diet with restrained supplementary protein
Temperament	Adult males are territorial, especially when displaying or breeding
Breeding	Maternal mouthbrooder; breeding is never guaranteed

Identity: what 'Steveni Taiwan' means

Protomelas sp. 'Steveni Taiwan' is a provisional hobby name, not a formally described species name. The abbreviation sp. matters: it signals an undescribed member of the genus rather than a fish that has received a complete scientific species description. This fish is sold under the established Taiwan Reef trade identity.

The word Taiwan does not indicate an Asian origin. It refers to Taiwanee Reef, historically written Taiwan Reef, in Lake Malawi. Related populations are reported at Higga Reef and Ngkuyo or Mbamba Bay Island, where trade names may include Chimoto Red or Chimoto Yellow. The fish offered here is not sold as wild-caught or as a certified locality line.

The fish is a non-mbuna haplochromine cichlid. It should not be confused with a peacock cichlid, Protomelas taeniolatus or a generic mixed Malawi hap. Related fish can share blue, yellow and red display colours, especially in edited or illustrative images, so appearance alone is not enough to identify the form.

Names used for this fish

Name	How to interpret it
Taiwan Reef Cichlid	Established aquarium trade name
Protomelas sp. 'Steveni Taiwan'	Provisional scientific-style hobby name for an undescribed species
Steveni Taiwan	Short trade form; not a formally described binomial
Taiwanee Reef form	Reference to the Lake Malawi reef associated with the name, not proof of this shipment's collection locality

What you will receive

Select the size band before adding the fish to your basket. The two options are approximate dispatch sizes, not adult sizes. Natural growth, posture and the measuring method can produce small differences. A quantity of one always represents a single fish; the gallery image containing two illustrated fish does not change the sale unit.

Juveniles of this species are not reliably sexed from a product photograph, and small fish may not display the adult male palette. The fish supplied may therefore be male or female. It may arrive silver, grey or lightly barred and develop differently as it matures. Ordering more than one does not guarantee a particular sex ratio, compatible personalities, a breeding group or a coloured male.

• Sex is not guaranteed.
• Adult male colour is not guaranteed at dispatch.
• Exact shade, barring, fin pattern and body proportions vary naturally.
• Plan for the adult fish before ordering the smaller size.

Adult size and growth planning

Adult figures vary with sex, population and measurement method. One account gives 12-15 cm, while another reports females around 13 cm and males around 17 cm; some males approach 20 cm. Plan for the upper male figure rather than treating any one report as a guaranteed final size.

Do not choose the aquarium from the dispatch size. A young fish is only at the beginning of its growth. Tank length, unobstructed swimming space, filtration capacity and the eventual social group all matter more than the fish's size on arrival.

Aquarium size and footprint

For one adult male with several females, use about 300 litres and at least 130 cm of tank length as a practical minimum plan. The length creates separate display, feeding and retreat zones that a tall but short aquarium cannot provide. A wider front-to-back dimension also makes it easier to build stable rock structures without removing all open water.

More than one adult male requires significantly more space. Two males can repeatedly see and challenge each other even when the nominal litre figure looks generous. Mixed Malawi displays also need extra volume because every additional fish adds waste and changes the social map. If the juvenile group matures into an unfavourable ratio, be prepared to move or rehome individuals rather than forcing the group to fit the tank.

There is no single litre number that makes incompatible stocking safe. A successful aquarium combines length, width, visual barriers, compatible temperaments, filtration and observation. The Lake Malawi cichlid guide and range gives broader context for planning a coherent Malawi display.

Water parameters and stability

Use 23-27°C, pH 7.5-8.5 and approximately 10-30 dGH. Choose a stable point within this hard-water range rather than repeatedly adjusting the aquarium to hit a headline number.

Water guide for Protomelas sp. 'Steveni Taiwan'

Parameter	Working range	Practical note
Temperature	23-27°C	Choose a stable value within the stated product range
pH	7.5-8.5	Avoid sudden downward swings; stability matters more than daily correction
General hardness	About 10-30 dGH	Use a consistent mineral source and test the actual aquarium water
Ammonia	0 mg/l	Any detectable amount requires immediate investigation
Nitrite	0 mg/l	The aquarium must be biologically mature before the fish arrives
Nitrate	Kept low and stable	Use testing and water changes rather than a universal number detached from the system

Do not add mineral buffers by habit without measuring the source and aquarium water. Some UK tap water already supplies substantial hardness and alkalinity, while other areas need a carefully controlled mineral plan. Large, abrupt chemistry changes are more stressful than a stable value near one edge of the suitable range.

Rocky reef layout, flow and oxygen

At Taiwanee Reef, territorial males occupy large boulders in deep, strong-current areas. Recreate the function of that habitat rather than building a decorative cave wall with no swimming room. Use secure rock structures to interrupt sight lines and create more than one retreat, then leave a broad open lane through the middle and front of the aquarium.

Place heavy rocks directly on a protected, stable base before adding loose substrate so digging cannot undermine them. Fine sand can be used around the structure, but avoid sharp material. Plants are optional and are not a substitute for rocky territories. If plants are used, choose robust attached species and expect the cichlids to investigate or disturb them.

Strong surface movement and dependable circulation support oxygenation. Avoid directing a harsh jet at the only resting place; the goal is a well-mixed aquarium without stagnant pockets. Intake guards, heaters and cables should be secure against a large, active cichlid.

Filtration and maintenance

Use filtration sized for a heavily stocked, active cichlid aquarium, not merely the manufacturer's headline tank volume. Mechanical media should be easy to clean, while biological media must remain oxygenated and mature. A second circulation or filtration route can provide resilience, but it does not replace routine maintenance.

Test the aquarium before the fish is ordered. Ammonia and nitrite must read zero, temperature and pH should be stable, and the filter must already be processing the existing bioload. A calendar duration alone does not prove that a filter is mature; stable water tests do.

• Remove uneaten food promptly.
• Check temperature and fish behaviour daily.
• Test nitrogen waste and pH on a regular schedule.
• Change enough water to keep measured waste low and chemistry stable.
• Match replacement water for temperature and mineral character.
• Rinse biological media only in removed aquarium water when cleaning is needed.
• Keep strong surface movement and inspect equipment after rockwork changes.

Use a regular test record rather than relying on clear-looking water. Check ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and hardness at least weekly, and test again after adding fish or changing the feeding load. Trends matter: a result that moves away from the aquarium's established pattern can reveal a filtration or maintenance problem before the fish's behaviour changes. Record the date, result and any action together so that each number keeps its useful context.

Add livestock gradually. A mature filter holds a population of beneficial bacteria matched to the waste already entering the system, so each additional fish and every increase in feeding changes that load. The aquarium may be large enough on paper yet still be unprepared for several additions at once. This is especially important for a substantial Malawi cichlid that will produce more waste as it grows.

Maintenance decisions for an established Malawi aquarium

When	Check	Decision
Each day	Temperature, circulation, feeding access and normal swimming	Investigate a sudden equipment or behaviour change before it becomes routine
Each week	Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and hardness	Record the values and base water-change volume on the actual trend
After adding livestock	Waste readings and filter performance	Test more often while the biological filter adjusts to the higher load
When servicing the filter	Flow, blockages and biological media	Rinse reusable biological media lightly in removed aquarium water, not untreated tap water
During a water change	Replacement-water temperature and mineral character	Treat tap water appropriately and avoid abrupt chemistry changes
After moving rockwork	Stability, trapped debris, circulation and equipment clearance	Correct an unstable stack or stagnant pocket before returning the aquarium to normal use

A maintenance schedule is a starting point, not permission to ignore the test results between scheduled jobs. If the aquarium is newly stocked, heavily fed or unusually warm, oxygen demand and waste production can change. The safest routine is one that responds to measured conditions while keeping the established mineral chemistry steady.

Feeding: an algae-led Malawi diet

In Lake Malawi, Protomelas sp. 'Steveni Taiwan' feeds primarily by biting and drawing loose algae, algal strands and diatoms from rock surfaces. Captive feeding should therefore be vegetable-rich and restrained rather than centred on rich animal foods.

Use a reputable spirulina or vegetable-forward Malawi cichlid flake or small granule as the staple. Offer small portions twice daily and only as much as the fish clear within a few minutes. Adjust the amount to the fish and aquarium rather than relying on appetite alone.

Animal-based foods are supplementary rather than the primary feeding strategy for this form. If used, keep them modest so they do not displace the vegetable-rich staple. Judge the routine by measured portions and consistent condition rather than by how eagerly a cichlid approaches the glass.

Practical feeding pattern

Food	Role	Use
Spirulina or vegetable-rich Malawi flake	Staple	Small measured portions
Vegetable-forward cichlid granule	Staple or rotation	Choose a particle size the juvenile can swallow
Modest suitable animal-based food	Occasional variety	Use sparingly, not as the daily base
High-protein routine	Not a staple	Do not let it replace the algae-led food

Choosing a prepared food

The words Malawi cichlid food on a container are not enough on their own because Lake Malawi fish do not all feed in the same way. Look for a formula intended for algae-grazing or herbivore-leaning cichlids, with spirulina or other suitable plant material forming the feeding direction. A product designed mainly for predatory haps is a poor default for this form even if the pellet size is convenient.

Match the particle size to the fish at its current stage. A granule that an adult can swallow may be too large for a newly dispatched juvenile, while powder that disperses through the aquarium can make portion control difficult. The fish should take each piece cleanly, and the offered amount should disappear within the short feeding window rather than collecting behind rocks.

Introduce a new prepared food in small observed portions and keep the rest of the routine stable while acceptance is assessed. Acceptance alone does not prove that a formula is suitable for long-term use; the ingredient direction must still match algae-oriented feeding. Store dry food sealed, dry and within the maker's date instructions so that a correct formula is not spoiled by poor storage.

Behaviour and territory

Adult males defend prominent rock territories and become most assertive when displaying or breeding. 'Semi-aggressive' is too simple if it is read as a promise of peaceful behaviour. A settled male may patrol a wide section of the aquarium and repeatedly pursue females that cannot leave his line of sight.

This species does not form a tight school. In nature, females may occur in loose groups while males hold territories. In the aquarium, social planning usually centres on a male with a larger female group rather than a pair or a shoal. The adult composition cannot be known from juveniles.

Observing behaviour and welfare

Learn the normal pattern of each fish instead of judging the aquarium from the most colourful individual. Females, juveniles and subordinate males can be less conspicuous than a displaying male, but every fish still needs reliable access to food, open water and shelter. A change from the individual's usual behaviour is more informative than comparing it with a mature male illustration.

Changes worth investigating

Area	What to watch	First checks
Swimming	Hanging at the surface, remaining on the bottom or moving erratically	Temperature, circulation, oxygenation and water-test results
Breathing	Gill movement that is noticeably faster or slower than normal	Ammonia, nitrite, temperature and surface movement
Feeding	Reduced interest, inability to reach food or one fish taking every portion	Food size, ration, territory access and social pressure
Colour and posture	A sudden persistent change, clamped fins or repeated hiding	Recent changes to water, decor, stocking or hierarchy
Body and fins	Fresh damage, loss of condition, spots, growths or altered scales	Conflict, equipment hazards and qualified fish-health advice

No single observation identifies a disease or proves the cause. Test the water and review the social layout before guessing. Rearranging part of the rockwork can interrupt established territories, but continued pursuit or blocked feeding may require physical separation. Seek qualified aquatic-health advice when appearance, breathing, feeding or swimming remains abnormal.

Group planning and the one-fish sale unit

An adult social plan must account for territorial behaviour. Keep more females than males; the target is a single male with a larger female group and enough rockwork for every fish to leave direct sight. That structure is a planning aim, not a guaranteed outcome from buying a fixed number of juveniles.

A two-fish order is not a sexed pair, and two juveniles cannot be assumed to become male and female.

Tank mates and compatibility

Start with fish that share Lake Malawi chemistry, then assess adult size, diet and aggression individually. Avoid companions that are larger or more boisterous than this species, because they may be too forceful for it. A shared lake or cichlid label does not guarantee compatibility.

Do not combine this fish with tetras, rasboras, bettas, dwarf cichlids or other delicate soft-water community species. Their water requirements, adult size and social behaviour do not match this Lake Malawi plan.

Compatibility depends on the actual individuals and aquarium, not a universal yes/no list. Browse the Lake Malawi and Victoria cichlid category for relevant stock, then check every candidate's adult size, diet and temperament independently. Keep a separation option available if the final combination does not work.

Compatibility guide

Potential companion	Guidance
Another Lake Malawi cichlid	Assess its adult size, diet and aggression; no group name guarantees a match
Larger or more boisterous species	Avoid because they may be too forceful for this fish
Small community fish	Avoid because chemistry, size and behaviour do not match
Soft-water cichlids and community species	Avoid; their environmental and social requirements conflict with this Malawi setup
Another adult male Taiwan Reef Cichlid	High risk without a substantially larger aquarium and strong territory separation

Sex, colour and appearance

Mature males can develop a metallic blue head and upper body, yellow to gold flanks, a red or orange anal fin and a pale blaze near the forehead. Females are normally silver-grey with broad dark vertical bars. Juveniles resemble the female pattern more than the fully coloured male, so an accurately supplied young fish may look very different from the gallery.

Colour varies with sex, age and hierarchy. A subordinate male may display less strongly than a dominant male, so muted colour does not identify a female by itself.

Visual identification alone is not enough to certify the precise trade form. Adult colours also vary with the individual and aquarium, so use the written identity and care information alongside the gallery.

How to interpret the gallery

All four current images are polished digital illustrations. They are useful for showing a possible mature male colour direction, but they are not photographs of the individual fish supplied. None of them proves sex, final shade, exact barring, fin shape, body proportions or collection locality.

What the four gallery images show

Position	Visible scene	Important limit
First image	A blue-and-yellow adult male interpretation over aquarium decor	The supplied juvenile may have muted barred colour and different proportions
Second image	Two similarly coloured adult male interpretations together	The picture does not change the single-fish sale unit and does not represent a pair
Third image	A clean side-view adult male interpretation	It is an illustration, not an identification photograph of the shipment
Fourth image	An adult male interpretation beside aquarium plants	The planted scene is decorative and does not replace the rocky-reef setup guidance

Read every image as a visual example rather than proof of the animal's eventual appearance.

Breeding and mouthbrooding

This cichlid is a maternal mouthbrooder. A displaying male claims a territory and courts females; after spawning, the female holds the eggs and developing fry in her mouth. Reported holding periods span several weeks and vary between individuals.

Breeding requires mature, compatible fish in a suitable sex ratio. These juveniles are not sold as a sexed pair or proven group, so spawning should never be assumed. A holding female needs quiet refuge away from the male because repeated pursuit can leave her with no secure place to brood.

Do not apply a precise locality label to offspring unless the parent stock has documented locality provenance. Taiwan Reef is the trade identity of this product, not certification of a wild locality line.

How this fish compares with other Malawi choices

Taiwan Reef Cichlid is a large, rock-associated non-mbuna with a distinctive mature male display, an algae-led diet and strong adult male territorial behaviour. Do not choose companions from the words hap, peacock or mbuna alone; compare the exact species' adult size, diet and aggression first.

For another member of the genus, compare the Spindle Hap Cichlid (Protomelas taeniolatus). The relationship does not make the two interchangeable: check adult size, feeding and aggression for each product. The Protomelas category is the most relevant place to compare currently listed forms without turning unrelated species into promised tank mates.

Check your existing aquarium before ordering

Judge the aquarium that exists today, not the one you hope to build after the fish arrives. Use recent water-test results, the real internal dimensions, the current livestock and the available separation space. A large tank can still be unsuitable when its chemistry, diet plan or social structure conflicts with this species.

Existing-aquarium decision guide

Current situation	Decision	Why
New aquarium or filter not proven mature	Wait	Clear water does not prove that ammonia and nitrite will remain at zero
Soft, acidic community setup	Choose a different fish	The water chemistry and community plan conflict with Lake Malawi care
Display dominated by larger or very boisterous cichlids	Do not add without a safer plan	Forceful companions can prevent normal feeding and territory use
Mature Malawi setup with stable tests and matched diets	Continue the individual compatibility check	Shared chemistry alone is not enough; adult size and behaviour still matter
Temporary grow-out tank with no adult destination	Wait for the permanent setup	The dispatch size does not reduce the space needed later
No spare aquarium, divider or rehoming route	Resolve the contingency first	Live cichlid groups can develop an unsafe hierarchy despite careful planning

A suitable result should be clear without optimistic assumptions: the filter is established, the chemistry is already correct, rockwork leaves both refuge and swimming room, existing residents are appropriate, the food plan matches the species and a failed social combination can be separated. If any of those points depends on a future upgrade, complete the upgrade before ordering.

Care terms used here

Several aquarium terms have precise meanings that affect how this fish should be chosen and kept. The short definitions below prevent trade names, measurements and social labels from being read as guarantees. Use the same meanings when comparing another product, because familiar trade words can hide different biological or sales assumptions.

Taiwan Reef Cichlid glossary

Term	Meaning in this care guide
Provisional name	A working aquarium name for a fish that has not received a formal species description; sp. signals that status.
Non-mbuna	A Lake Malawi cichlid outside the familiar mbuna group; it does not mean peaceful or suitable with every hap.
Haplochromine	A broad evolutionary grouping used for many African cichlids; it is not a complete compatibility category.
Dispatch size	The approximate length band selected for delivery, not the expected adult length or a separate care type.
Total length	A measurement from the front of the fish to the end of the tail fin; figures can differ when another method is used.
dGH	Degrees of general hardness, a measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium rather than pH itself.
Maternal mouthbrooder	A cichlid in which the female carries fertilised eggs and developing young in her mouth after spawning.
Locality line	Fish with documented ancestry from a named collection place; a locality-inspired trade name alone does not provide that documentation.
Representative illustration	An image showing a possible appearance or scene, not a photograph of the exact animal that will be delivered.
Biological filter	Filter media carrying beneficial bacteria that process fish waste and must remain oxygenated; clear water alone does not prove that this function is mature.
Visual barrier	Rockwork that interrupts a fish's view across the aquarium, giving another individual a route out of direct sight during pursuit.
Open swimming lane	Unobstructed water through which a large cichlid can turn and move without passing through a narrow cave or scraping decor.

Before you order: final checklist

• The mature aquarium meets the adult footprint described above.
• Temperature, pH and hardness are stable within the stated ranges.
• Ammonia and nitrite are zero.
• Secure rockwork creates several retreats without removing open swimming room.
• Filtration and surface movement can support a large Malawi cichlid.
• Existing fish match the required chemistry, size and temperament.
• The algae-oriented staple food is ready.
• The single-fish sale unit and uncertain juvenile sex are understood.
• You can separate fish if the adult sex ratio or territorial behaviour becomes unsafe.
• You are choosing the dispatch size, not the final adult size.

References and further reading

The references below cover the fish's identity, Taiwanee Reef habitat, adult size, appearance, algae-grazing diet, territorial behaviour, group structure and general Malawi aquarium care. They do not guarantee the sex, colour, locality, lifespan, compatibility or breeding outcome of an individual juvenile.

• Malawi.si: Protomelas sp. 'steveni taiwan' at Taiwanee Reef - habitat, distribution, size, feeding, aggression and aquarium planning.
• Practical Fishkeeping interview with Ad Konings - field identity, reef behaviour, tank mates, sex ratio and size context.
• Cichlid Room Companion species account - undescribed status, locality forms, morphology, group planning and mouthbrooding observations.
• OATA African Malawi cichlid care sheet - filtration, water testing, feeding, rockwork, plants and general compatibility boundaries.
• Tropical Fish Co cichlid care guide - wider aquarium preparation and cichlid husbandry principles.