...................Tropheus moorii
Other names:...........none Origin:......................Lake Tanganyika Max size:..................6" PH:............-..............7.6-8.8 Temperature:...........74-79 F. Min tank size:..........35 gallons Food:.........................Flakes, live foods, vegetable matter |
Tropheus moorii is an African cichlid from Lake Tanganyika. The body is black, the front half being more faded. The dorsal fin is short and long-based, with red at the front and possibly some white. This red continues down on the body into a white stripe that again follows into a red spot on the belly. Tropheus moorii has many different color morphs, each one from a seperate geographical area.
Provide these territorial fish with various rocks and caves thoughout the tank. The water must be alkaline and hard. They often tolerate tankmates such as synodontis catfish, but will battle amongst themselves and other Tanganyikan cichlids. In their natural habitat, these cichlids live near around rocky shores.
Tropheus moorii is omnivorous and should be supplied with both live foods and vegetable matter. Flake foods are accepted and they will also eat algae off rocks and the glass.
Mouthbrooders, the fish pair off and spawn. The female lays her eggs in the upper regeon of the tank, then brings the eggs to a pre-cleaned area. The fry hatch a couple days later and are cared for by the parents. Sexual differences are hard to tell, so it's best to let the fish pair themselves, allowing several fish to be in the same tank.
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