Yellow-tail Tropheus
Tropheus duboisi · Fish, Vertebrate, Cold-blooded, Wild
Animal Family
Cichlidae, order Cichliformes, class Actinopterygii
Animal Category
Freshwater Animal
Breed / Variety
Maswa variety
Conservation Status
Least Concern, stable wild populations in Lake Tanganyika, local threats from overfishing for the aquarium trade.
About This Creature
Robust, deep-bodied cichlid growing up to 4-5 inches in length. Adults feature a dark brown to black body with a striking bright yellow caudal fin and dorsal fin margin, contrasted with subtle bluish highlights around the head.
Physical Characteristics
Compressed oval body shape, large eyes, thick lips adapted for scraping algae, powerful fins with prominent yellow coloration on the dorsal and tail fins, and smooth scales.
Behavior & Temperament
Aggressive and territorial schooling fish, highly active during the day, communicates through color changes and body posturing, maternal mouthbrooder.
Habitat & Diet
Origin Region
Lake Tanganyika, East Africa
Habitat
Freshwater (Lake), Aquatic, rocky shorelines
Diet & Nutrition
Herbivore, primarily feeds on aufwuch (algae and micro-organisms) scraped from rocks, requires high-fiber plant-based diet in captivity to prevent bloat.
Lifespan & Health
5 to 8 years in captivity, susceptible to Malawi/Tanganyika bloat if fed improper high-protein diets, predated by larger piscivorous fish in the wild.
Special Characteristics
Juveniles look completely different from adults, featuring a black body covered in bright yellow-white spots, transitioning to the adult coloration as they mature.
Ecological Information
Primary consumer in the rocky littoral zone of Lake Tanganyika, plays an important role in controlling algae growth on rock surfaces.