All fish / Cichlidae

Tropheus polli

Tropheus polli

Also known as poll's tropheus, polli, lyretail tropheus, tropheus polli bulu point, tropheus polli lupita, tropheus poli, トロフェウス・ポーリィ, 波利蓝波

Tropheus polli is a deep-bodied rock-dwelling cichlid with a dark blue-black body, pale or yellowish bands and long, pointed tips on the tail fin, which sets it apart from other Tropheus. Keepers value it for its unusual lyre-shaped tail and the lively behaviour of a large group in a rocky tank.

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

Colony of 12 or more, with more females than males

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika (Tanzania, central eastern shore)

Breeding

It is a maternal mouthbrooder, with the female carrying a small number of large eggs and fry for around four weeks. Spawning happens readily in a well-kept colony, though broods are small.

Good to know

Highly prone to bloat if given high-protein food or poor water, so feed a vegetable diet and keep nitrate low. Males are quarrelsome, so keep it in large groups and do not mix it with other Tropheus forms, as they will hybridise.