Occurs along the east coast of Lake Malawi,
south of Lundu and north of Mbamba Bay, in purely rocky
environments.
Typical adult size:
Medium-sized member of the genus; comparable
to other mauve-type Tropheops species.
Sexual dimorphism:
Males are blue with yellow on the head and body
and have yellow dorsal fins; females are light brown with
faint vertical barring.
Aggression:
Territorial males; typical mbuna behaviour in
rocky habitats.
Special notes:
Belongs to the mauve-type group of
Tropheops, which generally prefers clear,
sediment-free rocky habitats. It is considered the most
common Tropheops species in this section of the
lake. Like other members of the genus, it feeds by tearing
filamentous algae from the aufwuchs, often holding the body
at an angle to the substrate while grazing.
Photo gallery