Blunthead Cichlid, scientifically known as Tropheus moorii, is a unique fish found only in Lake Tanganyika in Africa.
It comes in over 40 colorful variations including dark green, red, and yellow. This fish lives in shallow rocky areas and eats algae growing there.
Adult fish mostly live alone and eat worms, insects, crustaceans, and plants.
If you want to keep these fish in an aquarium, they need a tank at least 150 cm long with plenty of algae (called epiphyton) to eat.
Also, It’s best to have multiple females for each male to avoid aggression.
You can check out what this fish looks like over here.
Blunthead Cichlid Interesting Facts
- Blunthead Cichlid is native to Lake Tanganyika and comes in over 40 colorful variations.
- Females carry fertilized eggs and baby fish in their mouths until they can swim independently.
- Ideal aquarium conditions: pH 8.0 to 9.0, water hardness 9 to 19 dH, temperature 75°F to 79°F (24°C to 26°C).
- Each female produces between 5 to 17 eggs with a four-week incubation period.
Blunthead Cichlid Habitat
Blunthead Cichlid is native to Lake Tanganyika in Africa. It lives in freshwater environments near the bottom of the lake (benthopelagic).
The ideal water conditions for this fish include a pH range of 8.0 to 9.0, a dH range (water hardness) of 9 to 19, and a temperature between 75°F to 79°F (24°C to 26°C).
Blunthead Cichlid thrives in tropical climates and is found between latitudes 3°S to 9°S.
| Water Temperature: | 75°F to 79°F (24°C to 26°C) |
| Water pH: | 8.0 to 9.0 pH |
| Water Hardness: | 9 to 19 dH |
Blunthead Cichlid Physical Characteristics
Size: 5.7 inches (14.5 centimeters)
Blunthead Cichlid grows up to 5.7 inches (14.5 centimeters) long and can live for about 10 years.
Blunthead Cichlid Reproduction
Female Blunthead Cichlid lays only a few eggs. She picks up the eggs in her mouth before they fall to the bottom.
Then, she goes near the male’s genital area. The male releases sperm, which the female takes into her mouth for fertilization.
After four weeks of incubation, the eggs hatch. Each female produces around 5 to 17 eggs.
In a study, females measuring 6.2 to 7.9 cm SL long were found to carry cleavage phase eggs and larvae up to 1.45 cm TL in their mouths.
Blunthead Cichlid Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Tropheus |
| Scientific Name: | Tropheus moorii |
| Also Known As: | Blunthead Cichlid |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |