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Comments: When this species matures, they develop dark bodies and bright-bright yellow markings. This is generally considered to be one of the most colorful Tropheus moorii varieties in Lake Tanganyika.

Origin: The ancestors of Tropheus Moorii Ikola lived in Lake Tanganyika on the east coast about half way from the northern most point of the lake to the southern most point of the lake.

Maximum Size: In aquariums, males can grow to be about 6" long, including their tails, which is a nice big size for aquariums of 80-gallons and greater.

Females tend to remain a little smaller.

Behaviors: Tropheus Cichlids are usually rather aggressive fish, and males are very aggressive to each other.

Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include, Malawi Peacocks, mild tempered Mbunas like the Lemon Yellow Mbuna, and Synodontis Catfish, also other Cichlid species Lake Tanganyika.

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Temperature: Tropheus Cichlids live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.

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Feeding: Premium Fish Food Flakes is the best food for Tropheus to eat.

They will almost always get bloat and die, if fed Tubifex or Black Worms. All other rich foods are also dangerous to their health. The best food is the green Fish Food Flakes.

In their natural habitat the Tropheus Cichlids graze off the rocks, eating the algae and the tiny animals that live in the algae.

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Water Conditions: These fish need hard alkaline water with a pH of 7.8 to 8.8 and lots of dissolved minerals.

Most of the water in the US has a lower pH and is not as hard, so hobbyists often add special salts to the water for these fish.

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Aquarium Size: Tropheus Cichlids will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 80-gallons of water.

Each Cichlid will need at least 5-gallons of water.

Decor: Tropheus Cichlids do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

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Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, but this fish will usually dig plants up, and they often eat some types of plants.

So most aquariums with Tropheus Cichlids do not have live plants.

They like medium size gravel about the size of rice mixed with a few aquarium-safe rocks.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.

Most 80-gallon aquariums have room along the back for at least two Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of the minimum set up for Tropheus Cichlids.

Better is a 100, 120, 150, or 200-gallon aquarium with as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit across the back.

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The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range.

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Life Span: Tropheus Cichlids can live for several years.

Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they may breed and produce the next generation of fish for your aquarium.

Gender: Males usually display bolder and brighter colors as they mature. Females usually have slightly duller colors, and smaller bodies.

Breeding: Tropheus Cichlids are mouthbrooders.

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Popularity: Tropheus Cichlids are popular aquarium fish.

Names: Their scientific name is Tropheus moorii cf. Ikola.

Variations: There are many different Tropheus varieties that may or may not be the same species.

Click here to read a very interesting article about Tropheus species.