Duboisi Cichlid (Tropheus duboisii)

The Tropheus Duboisi Cichlid originates from the rocky coastal waters of Northern Lake Tanganyika, Africa. They are a beautiful species and are completely black as a juvenile with many white spots. As they mature, the spots fade and their head takes on a blue coloration. This variety of Tropheus Duboisi develops a wide yellow band just behind the pectoral fins. Like other species in the Tropheus genus, they are extremely aggressive towards their own kind, and should be housed in large groups of 6 or more. They are a very personable fish that do best in a species specific aquarium.

The Tropheus Duboisi Cichlid should be maintained in an aquarium of at least 50 gallons, in a large number of the same species, or with other smaller semi-aggressive Tanganyikan or Malawian cichlids. Incorporate plenty of rocks and African driftwood in order to build caves. Provide a sandy bottom of aragonite to maintain the necessary high pH and alkalinity.

The Tropheus Duboisi Cichlid is a mouth brooder, and breeding is more difficult than most of the cichlids. This is a very slow growing species which may take a few years to reach sexual maturity. At that time, the males are typically larger than the females, and have a more turned up nose. To increase the chance of spawning, house 5 or 6 females with one male. Provide a number of caves for the pair to choose from, and to reduce aggression. Incubation occurs in about 28 days. Feed the fry finely crushed flake food for the first few months until they become interested in lettuce or seaweed.

Their diet should be high in vegetable matter. Offer dried seaweed or romaine lettuce on a feeding clip daily, and supplement their diet with a quality vegetable based flake or pellet food.

Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 2-1/2"

Care details

• Temperature: 72 - 82° F
• dKH: 10 - 20
• Color: Black, White, Blue and Yellow
• Family: Cichlidae
• Diet: Herbivore