All fish / Cichlidae

Trewavas' Petrochromis

Petrochromis trewavasae

Also known as trewavas petrochromis, petrochromis trewavasae, petrochromis ephippium, sunspot petrochromis, trewavasae cichlid, petro trewavasae, ペトロクロミス・トレワバサエ, 特氏岩丽鱼

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A deep-bodied algae-grazing cichlid from the rocky shores of Lake Tanganyika, with dark brown to olive flanks covered in small pale or yellow spots and long trailing lyre tail tips. Keepers prize it for its elegant finnage, active grazing behaviour and the striking look of mature males.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

500 litres

Keep as

One male with several females, or a large overcrowded group

Diet

Herbivore: algae, spirulina flakes and pellets, blanched greens, little protein

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika, southern part (Zambia, Tanzania, DR Congo)

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder; females carry a small number of large eggs and fry for around four weeks. It breeds in large, well-planned tanks, but male aggression towards females makes success uncommon without plenty of space and several females.

Good to know

Males are highly aggressive to their own kind and similar herbivores, so a very large rocky tank is needed. Feed a low-protein vegetable diet, as rich foods readily cause bloat.