Red Empress Cichlid
Copadichromis borleyi
The Red Empress Cichlid (Copadichromis borleyi) is a semi-aggressive fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 280 litres (74 US gallons), water held at 75-82°F, and a pH of 7.5-8.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Africa / South America (varies)
- Africa
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Red Empress Cichlid Tank Setup
Give them at least 280 litres (74 US gallons). Cichlids are territorial and produce plenty of waste, so strong filtration and some rocks or wood to break up sight lines both help. Aim for 75-82°F and a pH around 7.5-8.5. They reach about 18 cm as adults, so don't be misled by the small juveniles sold in stores.
What Do Red Empress Cichlids Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Red Empress Cichlid Tank Mates
Kadango Red Fin; males display vivid red. One of the more peaceful Malawi haps. Keep with robust peaceful fish. The Red Empress Cichlid is semi-aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Red Empress Cichlids Good for Beginners?
Doable once you test water regularly and catch problems before fish look sick. If this is your first tank, pick something more forgiving and come back later.
Red Empress Cichlid - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Red Empress Cichlids need?
Red Empress Cichlids need a tank of at least 280 litres (74 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Red Empress Cichlids need?
Keep them at 75-82°F with a pH of 7.5-8.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Red Empress Cichlids eat?
Red Empress Cichlids are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Red Empress Cichlids good for beginners?
Red Empress Cichlids are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.
Common mistakes with Red Empress Cichlids
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 280 litres (74 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Check Red Empress Cichlid against any other fish → Compares water parameters, predation risk, fin nipping and tank size, and draws both at life size.
Fish to avoid mixing with Red Empress Cichlids
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Zebra DanioFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
- Black Skirt TetraFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
