Tropheus

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Genus of fishes

title: "Tropheus" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["tropheus", "tropheini", "cichlid-genera", "taxa-named-by-george-albert-boulenger"] description: "Genus of fishes" topic_path: "general/tropheus" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropheus" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Genus of fishes ::

| image = TropheusspRed200.jpg | image_caption = Tropheus moorii | taxon = Tropheus | authority = Boulenger, 1898 | type_species = Tropheus moorii | type_species_authority = Boulenger, 1898

Tropheus is a small genus of at least six species of cichlids endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The genus is widespread across all regions of Lake Tanganyika, from Burundi in the north to Zambia in the south. Males and females are relatively similar in color, with only subtle sexual dimorphism in the form of the male's larger size. All species are maternal mouthbrooders, with the females caring for their eggs and fry in their mouths; this characteristic provides their generic name, Tropheus, which comes from the Greek trophos, which means "to nurse" or, according to Boulenger, "one who rears, brings up, educates". The genus is fished lightly by the local population, but has never become a staple food fish due to its relatively small size and its habitat, which enables it to dart between rocks when threatened.

Most species occur along the coastal fringes of the lake at depths less than 3 m. These rocky shores, with numerous rocky outcroppings and boulder formations, form a habitat similar to many of the mbuna cichlids of Lake Malawi. This habitat provides shelter, and due to the shallow depth and the long hours of strong sunlight, heavy algal growth on which they feed. The only Tropheus species to dwell further out and deeper in the lake is Tropheus duboisi, which in general inhabits deeper regions of the lake down to around 15–20 m. All species are algal grazers and have underslung mouths adapted to rasping algae and microinvertebrates from submerged rocks.

The genus is relatively popular with aquarium hobbyists due to the beautiful markings and interesting behavior. Tropheus moorii in particular has become something of a cult fish within the hobby, in spite of the difficulties involved in keeping species of this genus in captivity.

Species

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Tropheus_duboisi.jpg" caption="''Tropheus duboisi'' from [[Kigoma"] ::

Six recognized species are in this genus:

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Tropheus_polli1.jpg" caption="''Tropheus polli''"] ::

Tropheus species have been popular in the aquarium trade for nearly a century. The fish have, however, gained something of a reputation for fragility and are regarded by many cichlid keeping aquarists to be rather demanding to keep. It is certainly true that they should not be considered beginner fish but neither should they be unfairly derided as difficult. When kept in appropriate conditions, they make superb aquarium fish. --

Diseases

Tropheus species are susceptible to many viral, bacterial and stress-related diseases, delicate as long as the above issues with water quality and feeding are addressed. They are known to be particularly prone to a condition called "bloat", which is purported to be caused by a range of organisms which includes the flagellate (Cryptobia sp.) and/or numerous bacterial species that cause intestinal problems in the genus. Affected fish discharge white feces, may sway or have swim-bladder problems, and frequently stop eating. As with every aspect of fish keeping, prevention is better than cure. --

References

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for a discussion of different citation methods and how to generate footnotes using the and tags

References

  1. (25 September 2018). "Order CICHLIFORMES: Family CICHLIDAE: Subfamily PSEUDOCRENILABRINAE (p-y)". Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara.
  2. Ad Konings. (13 June 2016). "Tropheus - Home is where the rocks are". Practical Fishkeeping.
  3. (13 June 2016). "Tropheus - home is where the rocks are".
  4. "Half a Century with Tropheus Cichlids | TFH Magazine".
  5. (13 May 2015). "Peaceful herbivores? - far from it! Tropheus sp. "Kasanga"".
  6. "Care and Maintenance of Tropheus".
  7. {{FishBase genus. (2013)
  8. ,

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tropheustropheinicichlid-generataxa-named-by-george-albert-boulenger