Tropheus moorii- Tropheus moorii distribution
Family: Cichlidae;
Genus: Tropheus;
Species and synonyms: Tropheus moorii (Blunthead Cichlid, Kimpuma, Mpuma).
GBIF:
Tropheus moorii (lat. Tropheus moorii) is a species of ray-finned fish from the order Cichliformes, family Cichlidae, genus Tropheus. An endemic of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, one of the most popular Tanganyikan cichlids.
Distribution. Tropheus moorii is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it is widely distributed along rocky shores throughout the lake. Various color variations (morphs) are confined to specific coastal areas. Prefers rocky biotopes with clean, well-oxygenated water at depths from 1 to 15 meters.
Care requirements. Tropheus moorii is a large cichlid that grows up to 12–15 cm in the aquarium. To keep a group (minimum 10–15 specimens), an aquarium of at least 200 liters with a length of 100 cm is recommended. It is important to keep them in groups, as they live in hierarchical schools, and a single fish will experience severe stress. Optimal water parameters: temperature 24–27°C, hardness 8–25 dGH, pH 7.8–9.0. Powerful filtration, good aeration and weekly water changes of 20–25% are necessary. Large stones forming shelters and sandy or fine gravel substrate are placed at the bottom.
Tropheus are herbivorous fish; the basis of their diet should be plant foods: spirulina, flakes and granules with a high content of plant components, blanched lettuce leaves, spinach, nettle. It is important to avoid animal food with high protein content, as it can cause serious digestive problems (bloat). Feed should be 2–3 times a day in small portions.
In the aquarium, Tropheus are active in the middle and lower water layers. They are territorial and can show aggression towards both conspecifics and other fish. It is recommended to keep them in a species-only aquarium or with other Tanganyikan cichlids of comparable size and similar care requirements. It is not recommended to keep them with slow-moving or too small fish.
Breeding in home aquariums is possible under proper conditions. Tropheus are maternal mouthbrooders: the female carries eggs and fry in her mouth for 3–4 weeks. They reach sexual maturity at 1.5–2 years. To stimulate spawning, water changes with fresh water and a temperature increase of 1–2°C are recommended. The male attracts the female to a chosen site, after spawning the female takes the eggs into her mouth and incubates them. Fry are fed spirulina flakes, Artemia nauplii and grow rather slowly.
Tropheus moorii is known for a huge number of color variations, of which there are more than 50. Some of them: "Moorii" (classic black), "Kaiser" (blue with a yellow stripe), "Bemba" (red), "Chaitika" (yellow), "Lunangwa" (orange). All forms have a massive body with a large head. Life expectancy is 8–12 years.