All fish / Cichlidae

Moorii

Tropheus moorii

Also known as tropheus moorii, blunthead cichlid, moori, moorii kaiser, moorii red rainbow, moorii bemba, moorii ilangi, moorii chimba, firecracker tropheus, トロフェウス・モーリー, 慈鲷, 蓝剑鲨

A deep-bodied, blunt-headed cichlid from the rocky shores of Lake Tanganyika, found in dozens of local colour forms with red, yellow or orange bands on a dark body. Keepers prize it for its colour variety and lively, complex group behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

8 to 9

Smallest tank

375 litres

Keep as

Single species group of 12 or more with mostly females

Diet

Herbivore: spirulina flakes and pellets, algae, blanched greens; avoid rich meaty foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika (Zambia, Tanzania, DR Congo)

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder; the female carries a small clutch of large eggs for about four weeks before releasing well-developed fry. Breeding happens readily in a stable, well-sized group, though females produce only a few young each time.

Good to know

Highly intolerant of poor water and protein-rich diets, which can trigger the often fatal condition known as bloat. Do not mix colour forms, as they hybridise, and keep large groups to spread aggression.