Tropheus Annectens care guide
Tropheus Annectens (Tropheus annectens) — minimum tank 350 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 8.5-9.2.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Tropheus annectens is a smaller Tropheus reaching about 13 cm, endemic to the northern rocky shores of Lake Tanganyika. The species shows several local colour morphs with brownish backgrounds and pale-to-yellow flank patterns.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Tropheus
- Scientific name: Tropheus annectens
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it inhabits the wave-washed upper rocky littoral. Tanganyika water is exceptionally hard and alkaline — pH 8.5-9.2, KH 12-20 — with stable warm temperatures and very high dissolved oxygen. Each colour morph corresponds to a discrete stretch of shoreline.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 350 L (92.5 US gal)
- Adult size: 10-13 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
- School size: ≥10 individuals
Diet
In the wild a strict aufwuchs grazer that takes algae filaments, biofilm and associated micro-invertebrates from the rocks. In aquaria the diet must be predominantly plant-based — spirulina-rich pellets, blanched vegetables and only occasional small frozen brine shrimp or cyclops. High-protein or fatty foods cause severe and often fatal "bloat".
Compatibility
Aggressive within the genus; the recommended approach is a single-species colony of 10-15+ individuals so that aggression is spread across many targets. Avoid mixing different Tropheus colour morphs in one tank (they hybridise and fight) and avoid other aggressive rock-dwelling Tanganyikans in the same volume.
Breeding
A polygamous maternal mouthbrooder producing relatively few but large eggs (typically 5-20). The female holds the brood for around four weeks. Captive breeding is straightforward in established colonies and most aquarium stock is now tank-raised.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: see species page. Several Tropheus species and locality forms are assessed and most are categorised Least Concern, but Lake Tanganyika export is regulated by the riparian countries and some morphs have restricted ranges.
Tropheus annectens Breeding Guide
Overview
Tropheus annectens is a small Tropheus endemic to Lake Tanganyika, found on substrates of large fixed rock and reaching about 8 cm in length (Wikipedia). As a member of the genus it is an algal grazer with an underslung rasping mouth and a maternal mouthbrooder. Detailed species-level spawning data is sparse, so the breeding account here draws on the well-documented Tropheus genus pattern.
Sexing
Tropheus are difficult to sex, with sexes differing little in colour; reliable determination usually relies on venting (the genital papilla is pointed in males, rounded in females) or observing spawning behaviour within the colony. The record describes a yellow body with dark vertical bars.
Conditioning
Feed a strictly herbivorous diet of spirulina-based flakes and blanched greens, avoiding animal meat as recommended for the genus. Recorded parameters are a temperature of 24-27 C, pH 8.5-9.2 and GH 12-25 dGH; hard, alkaline water with frequent changes supports conditioning.
Breeding Setup
Keep as a colony rather than a pair to spread aggression; the record indicates a minimum school size of about 10 and a minimum tank of 350 L. Provide rockwork over a sand base to mimic the rocky biotope and give subordinate fish refuge.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
As a maternal mouthbrooder the female takes the eggs into her mouth, where the male fertilises them in the manner typical of Tropheus. A settled, well-fed colony in stable hard water is the main spawning trigger.
Egg & Fry Care
Like other Tropheus the species produces small broods of relatively large fry, which the female carries orally for several weeks before releasing free-swimming young that can take brine shrimp nauplii and powdered foods. Isolating a holding female protects the limited brood.
Common Challenges
Tropheus are prone to digestive 'bloat' on the wrong diet, so the herbivorous regime and clean water are essential. Small brood size and the need for a stable colony make consistent breeding an advanced undertaking.