Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

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Tropheops sp. 'boadzulu' Makokola Reef.jpg

Tropheops sp. 'orange chest' Makokola Reef.jpg

Tropheops sp. 'orange chest' Makokola Reef<br><font color=gray>Tropheops tropheops 'Makokola Reef'</font>

Genus:	Tropheops
Biotope:	Sediment-free rocky habitats among medium to large rocks, from the extreme shallows to at least 33 m depth.
Geographic distribution:	Occurs in the sediment-free rocky habitats around the Nankumba Peninsula, on all islands surrounding that peninsula, and at the Maleri Islands.
Typical adult size:	Males reach around 12 cm total length in imports and may grow larger in captivity; females remain approximately 25% smaller.
Sexual dimorphism:	Males are steel blue with orange-yellow head and chest, longer fins and larger anal ocelli; females are beige-yellow. OB morphs occur in both sexes, with males showing blue hues within the blotched pattern.
Recommended aquarium size:	An aquarium volume of at least 400 L is recommended, with a minimum tank length of 140 cm; to maintain more than one active male, a length of around 200 cm is required.
Aquarium setup:	Provide abundant rock structures forming caves and crevices, interspersed with open sandy areas. A ratio of one male to 5–6 females is advised to disperse intraspecific aggression. Best combined with other robust mbuna genera.
Diet:	Primarily feeds on the algal layer of rocks and associated invertebrates; plankton may be consumed when abundant. In aquarium, a vegetable-rich diet is required.
Breeding:	Maternal mouthbrooder. Males excavate shallow pits beneath stones and defend territories aggressively. Females incubate eggs for about three weeks.
Aggression:	Highly aggressive and strongly territorial toward conspecifics and other species; adults defend rock-top territories intensely.
Special notes:	Characterized by steel-blue males with orange chest coloration and the occurrence of OB morphs in both sexes, a rare feature within the genus. According to Ad Konings (2022), true Tropheops tropheops corresponds to the form formerly known as Tropheops sp. ‘broadmouth’, while the species he earlier regarded as T. tropheops is now referred to as Tropheops sp. ‘orange chest’.