Protomelas taeniolatus

Spindle Hap

freshwater

Bioload 0.3

Intermediate care

Cichlidae

Your complete care profile

Spindle Hap (Protomelas taeniolatus) is a freshwater fish associated with Africa, with a recorded adult length of up to 11.3 cm. This source-backed catalogue profile brings its essential aquarium planning information together on one page.

Temperature

24–26°C

pH range

6.5–7.5

Minimum tank

80 litres

Typical lifespan

8 years

Diet

Herbivore

Origin

Africa

Adult size

Up to 11.3 cm

Care level

Intermediate

Care level recorded in the source-backed catalogue profile.

Aquarium context

freshwater system

Present in the aquarium trade

Planning to add Spindle Hap?

Check it against your aquarium before purchase, then use the complete preparation checklist below.

Check compatibility

Species identity

Know the fish

Common name

Spindle Hap

Scientific name

Protomelas taeniolatus

Family

Cichlidae

Family group

Cichlids

Water type

freshwater

Native range

Africa

Social planning

Individual assessment

Conservation

Least concern (LC)

Aquarium setup

Build the right system

A fully cycled freshwater aquarium using conditioned water, stable temperature and no detectable ammonia or nitrite.

Use 80 litres as the minimum planning baseline before allowing extra space for a group, tank mates, decor and swimming behaviour.

Hold temperature at 24–26°C and pH at 6.5–7.5; stability matters more than chasing a single number.

Design the aquarium around the recorded adult length of 11.3 cm, not the juvenile size seen at purchase.

Provide retreat areas and visual breaks while preserving enough unobstructed space for normal movement and feeding.

Filtration & waste

Lower individual waste load (0.3 index), but group size and total stocking still determine the filter capacity required.

Feeding

Herbivore diet

Base the diet on species-appropriate algae and plant-rich foods, with variety for micronutrients. Do not assume natural tank algae is a complete diet.

Observe

Confirm every fish reaches food and swallows it.

Control

Stop before leftovers can decay in the aquarium.

Review

Track body condition, waste and feeding response over time.

Behaviour & tank mates

Community planning

Treat temperament as an individual assessment. Observe feeding and territorial behaviour, and keep a safe separation plan available.

No simple community match is approved in this profile. Plan species-only housing or obtain a specialist compatibility assessment before adding tank mates.

No pre-approved tank mate is listed. That is a safety signal, not a claim that every pairing will fail.

Health watch

Recognise warning signs early

These are risks to monitor, not diagnoses. Test the aquarium first and seek an aquatic vet or experienced specialist for severe, fast-moving or uncertain symptoms.

Freshwater ich

Watch for: Small white spots, flashing against objects, clamped fins or faster breathing.

First response: Confirm the signs, test water and use a treatment known to be safe for every species in the system.

Environmental stress

Watch for: Hiding, faded colour, clamped fins, glass surfing, rapid breathing or appetite loss.

First response: Test water, review temperature and tank mates, reduce disturbance and correct problems gradually.

Before bringing one home

Five-point readiness check

The established aquarium is at least 80 litres and matches the required freshwater system.

Temperature and pH overlap the full 24–26°C and 6.5–7.5 ranges.

A suitable herbivore food is available and the seller can demonstrate that the fish is feeding.

Ammonia and nitrite test at zero, acclimation is planned and a quarantine or observation option is ready.

Every proposed tank mate has been screened for adult size, behaviour, feeding competition and water compatibility.

Run compatibility check

Data & source notes

Transparent, in-app data

IUCN LC

Catalogue source

FishBase · release 26.07

Species record

FishBase SpecCode 2123

Aquarium context

Present in the aquarium trade

Temperature basis

FishBase stock temperature range

pH basis

FishSnap freshwater planning baseline

Tank basis

FishSnap conservative planning baseline derived from adult size, water type, social ecology and family

Lifespan basis

FishSnap size/family planning estimate

Photo credit

FishBase remains an editorial reference, but the useful species and care information is interpreted here so you do not have to leave FishSnap. Conservative planning baselines are labelled as guidance, not guarantees.