Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Aggressive

Live Plant Safe: No

General Description: Tropheus Duboisi, also known as the White-Spotted Cichlid, are native to deep water rocky areas of Lake Tanganyika in Africa. This fish goes through a dramatic color transformation from juvenile to adult. As juveniles, Tropheus duboisi are black and covered in charming white spots. As they mature, these white spots are lost and the adult develops a slate-blue face and thick white to yellow band behind the pectoral fins. Sexing male from female is nearly impossible. Like all Tropheus, Tropheus duboisi are very aggressive toward conspecifics, but don’t often squabble with other tank mates. Given their activity level however, shy species should not be kept with tropheus. Keeping multiple Tropheus duboisi peacefully is extremely difficult and costly (see Care Requirements below), so one per aquarium is generally recommended. An adult Tropheus duboisi can reach a size of approximately 5″.

Diet Requirements: Tropheus duboisi are obligate herbivores. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable and spirulina based flake foods and sinking pellet foods are ideal. Frozen spirulina brine shrimp can be fed in moderation. Blanched vegetables are excellent options. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish. Tropheus duboisi cannot digest high protein foods and will become bloated.

Care Requirements: An established minimum 55 gallon aquarium is ideal for a single Tropheus duboisi. Biweekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters up to standard (Nitrates < 30 ppm); tropheus are intolerable of nitrite or ammonia spikes. The aquarium should be aquascaped generously with stacked rocks and driftwood to create many hiding spaces and caves, but still provide open swimming space. A sandy or fine substrate is preferred and the aquarium needs to be well oxygenated. African cichlid specific substrates, or even marine Aragonite substrate, are great choices because they will buffer the pH and alkalinity to levels characteristic of Lake Tanganyika. Tropheus duboisi will do well with other Tanganyikan or Malawian cichlids that have similar temperament and energy. Compatability with other tropheus species is variable, but unlikely. Recommended water conditions, 72-80° F, KH 10-20, pH 8.0-9.5. Group dynamics: Tropheus duboisi have the greatest chance of success when 15-20 individuals are added simultaneously. Additionally, a group of this size would require, at minimum, a 125 gallon aquarium and this may need to be upgraded accordingly or dependent on other stocking choices. Too few of individuals (5-10 fish) may result in territorial fights with each other, often to the death. Tropheus duboisi will establish a natural pecking order and if this is achieved, new individuals should never be introduced because they will not be tolerated. While these are general observations about Tropheus, there are of course exceptions to the rule.

Purchase Size: Small: 1” to 1-1/4”, Medium: 1-1/2” to 2”, Large: 2-1/4” to 3”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.