Fin's Fish Guide
The Tropheops (Tropheops tropheops) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 14 cm.
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, along rocky shores in shallow water.
Description
The tropheops is a rock cichlid ('mbuna') of the family Cichlidae reaching about 14 cm, endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. Characteristic is the blunt, rounded head with an inferior mouth. The colour varies strongly between the numerous local populations and between the sexes: males are often blue or yellow, females usually yellow-brown. The species lives along rocky shores in shallow water and grazes algae ('aufwuchs') from the stones with its mouth, supplemented with small invertebrates. As a mouthbrooder the female carries the eggs and young in her mouth until they are independent. Because of its colour and behaviour the tropheops, like other mbuna, is a popular but territorial aquarium fish.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Tropheops?
The Tropheops has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Mbuna cichlid from Lake Malawi with a blunt, rounded head; colours varying strongly between populations and sexes.
Where does the Tropheops live?
The Tropheops lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, along rocky shores in shallow water.
How big does the Tropheops get?
The Tropheops grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.
Is the Tropheops dangerous to humans?
No, the Tropheops is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Tropheops edible?
The Tropheops is not usually eaten.
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All data
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Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
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Status & sources
Same genus Tropheops
More from the family Cichlidae
Want the complete picture on the Tropheops?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Tropheops is one of 12,519 species in the app.