Tropheus moorii, suitable for a 55gal?

efors

efors

AC Members
Jun 17, 2008
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San Juan, Puerto Rico
Hi, friends!
Yesterday I was reading a few articles on line and on TFH magazine, about these fishes and I really fell in love with 2 varieties: T. Bemba Flame and T. Ikola Kaiser :hearts:. Man, it was the same feeling I had when I met my wife for the first time and said: "This is what I want to be with me for my whole life!"
I don't think I can have them by now, but I hope it should be possible some day in the near future, to have one of these 2 varieties of T. moorii. Now, to feed my loving obsession, I want to ask you Tang experts, the following:
1. Are they suitable for a 55g one colony tank?
2. If yes, how many juvies would you add in it?
3. Are any big aggression issues expected?
4. Do they need a huge amount of rocks as the mbunas do?
5. Are they expensive? What prices have you seen for them?
Thanks in advance! I hope you can relieve my obsession!:flamed:
 
It's the bare minimum IMO. I personally think the footprint of a 75 is the smallest I would do tropheus.

Colonies should be at least 10-12 members large preferably all the same species and variation and all from the same source. Hybridization and cross-breeding are the main issues here.

Rockwork is a must, the more the better.

Tropheus are fairly expensive, more than most other fish commonly sold. The average price in my area is anywhere from $30-40, but these are usually subadults. I'm sure you could find juveniles at a better price.

As far as aggression, they are definitely territorial hence why a large group is needed, as is a large amount of space. A good ratio is 4-6 females per male. At a small size you won't be able to accurately sex so you may have to remove males as you go.
 
So, a dozen should be the maximum for a 55g?
 
Thanks for your advice, jpappy!
 
Hey efors i think eddie had some T. Bemba's juvies not too long ago he may still have them and would be the cheapest if you can afford the shipping, yeah i would do at least 15 juvies in a 55gal some will be killed and or punked into the corners once all settles..

As for price wise here in good ol KY they go for like 25 bucks retail i believe eddie does them cheaper..

Photos i have seen with Tropheus were rocky habitats and sandy habitats with just a couple big rocks to a side of the tank but for me i am a rock fan so rock out with your fish out aye, hehehe..

Like jpap said buy them all at once they are not fond of additions later down the road and will kill off any newcomers once established, as for down the road issues they are african cichlids so there is always a chance a few will be killed under abnormal circumstances with these guys but the likely hood of all coexisting should be fine in a colony setting..
 
Thank you, my friend Pittbull!
Are they so prone to bloat? Would you consider them delicate fishes or are they hardy generally speaking?
 
Oooh you brought up a good factoid man i forgot about the bloat issues with these guys, man they are veggie eating fools and too much protein will kill them or cause several issues like bloat and i am not just talking about spirulina only diet they need vegetables and i hear the occasional meat treat would be ok just not as a staple.. good question buddy..
 
Thanks again, Pitt! I hope to put my hands on these beauties sometime in the future.
 
yeah i hope so man i bet they will be sweet for sure.. when i get that fish room i want i will do a tank full of the bemba's..
 
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