Tropheops care guide
Tropheops (Tropheops tropheops) — minimum tank 300 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Tropheops tropheops is a Malawi mbuna with a deep, robust body and short head; males typically display a blue body with darker vertical bars, while females and juveniles are paler. Adults reach about 14 cm and inhabit the rocky shore at moderate depths.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Tropheops
- Scientific name: Tropheops tropheops
- Common synonyms: Pseudotropheus tropheops
Habitat
Endemic to the rocky shore (mbuna zone) of Lake Malawi in the African Rift Valley, where it lives over wave-washed boulder slopes. The lake is exceptionally hard and alkaline — pH 7.8-8.6, KH 6-15 — and warm year round. The species is highly site-attached and territorial males defend small rock caves.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L (79.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 11-14 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
In the wild it grazes the aufwuchs layer of algae, biofilm and associated micro-invertebrates that coats the rocks. In aquaria a vegetable-rich diet of spirulina and algae-based cichlid pellets, blanched vegetables and occasional frozen brine shrimp is appropriate; high-protein foods such as bloodworm should be avoided to prevent "Malawi bloat".
Compatibility
Aggressive and territorial; best kept in a large mbuna community with several other rock-dwelling species so that aggression is dispersed. A typical stocking is one male to several females (1:3-4). Avoid mixing with very different lake faunas (e.g., New World cichlids) and with similar-coloured congeners that may hybridise.
Breeding
A polygamous maternal mouthbrooder. The male defends a small rock territory, displays to passing females and entices each to spawn on a flat surface; the female collects the eggs into her mouth immediately and incubates them for about three weeks before releasing free-swimming fry.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: see species page. The Lake Malawi cichlid radiation has been intensively assessed; most mbuna are evaluated and many are categorised Least Concern, though species with restricted ranges along single sub-shores are more vulnerable.
Tropheops (Tropheops tropheops) Breeding Guide
Overview
Tropheops tropheops is a stout, algae-grazing mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, found in shallow rocky habitat and reaching about 10-20 cm. The species occurs as several geographical races and subspecies and is a maternal mouthbrooder.
Sexing
Females are usually smaller and less colourful than males, and males show intense colour during their spawning displays. The male carries the egg-shaped spots on the anal fin that the female is attracted to, triggering sperm release during fertilisation.
Conditioning
Condition the group on a high-quality diet composed mainly of vegetable matter, suited to this herbivorous grazer that feeds on algae in shallow rocky habitat. Maintain alkaline water with a pH around 8.2-8.5 and a temperature of about 25-27 degrees Celsius (77-80 degrees Fahrenheit), and ensure females are in firm condition before pairing.
Breeding Setup
An aquarium of around 120 cm (48 inches) furnished with flat rocks and areas of open substrate provides spawning sites. Keep a harem of one male and at least three females, though the species will often also spawn in a community aquarium.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The male cleans and then displays around his chosen spawning site, which may be a flat rock surface or a shallow pit he excavates in the substrate. The female lays on the prepared site and takes the eggs into her mouth, where they are fertilised.
Egg & Fry Care
The female carries the eggs for around three to four weeks before releasing the free-swimming fry. The fry are large enough to take brine shrimp nauplii, microworm and powdered dried foods from birth.
Common Challenges
The species' subspecies and morphs should not be mixed in aquaria, as they will hybridise; keep a single race to produce pure fry. Because Tropheops will often spawn even in a community aquarium, unplanned cross-spawning with related mbuna is a real risk, making a dedicated single-race species tank the safest route to clean fry. As with other mbuna, holding females must be left undisturbed to avoid premature release of the brood, and a vegetable-rich conditioning diet suits this dedicated algae grazer.