Tropheus Yellow Band Cichlid

🔹 Scientific Name: Tropheus sp. “Yellow Band”

🔹 Common Name: Tropheus Yellow Band Cichlid

🔹 Type: Freshwater Cichlid

🔹 Coloration: Mainly dark blue to black body with a distinct bright yellow or golden horizontal band across the midsection or just below the dorsal fin — very striking and vibrant.

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📏 Size

• Maximum Size: Up to 4.5 to 6 inches (11–15 cm)

• Both males and females are similar in size; males tend to be slightly larger and more territorial.

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🌍 Native Habitat

• Native To: Lake Tanganyika, East Africa

• They inhabit rocky shorelines and reefs where they graze on algae and biofilm growing on the rocks.

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⏳ Lifespan

• Average Lifespan: 6 to 10 years with proper care

• Can live longer in well-maintained aquariums with stable water conditions.

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🍽️ Diet

• Diet Type: Primarily herbivorous / omnivorous

• Natural diet consists mainly of algae and plant matter scraped from rocks.

• In captivity, it’s important to provide a diet rich in vegetable content to prevent digestive issues:

  • Spirulina-based flakes or pellets

  • Blanched vegetables like zucchini or spinach

  • Occasional small amounts of protein-rich foods such as brine shrimp or daphnia (in moderation)

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🧬 Breeding

• Breeding Behavior: Maternal mouthbrooder

• Breeding Season: Typically year-round in captivity under stable conditions

• Females carry eggs and fry in their mouths for around 3 weeks before releasing fully developed fry.

• Strong territorial behavior during breeding; breeding groups or harems are common.

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🐟 Best Tank Mates

• Best kept with other Lake Tanganyika cichlids, especially other Tropheus species or compatible species from the same lake.

• Compatible tank mates:

  • Other Tropheus species (preferably same species or closely related to reduce aggression and hybridization)

  • Julidochromis, Altolamprologus, and other Tanganyika cichlids

  • Larger, peaceful catfish like Synodontis spp.

• Avoid:

  • Small, delicate, or timid fish, as they will be outcompeted or harassed

  • Aggressive or overly territorial species that do not tolerate Tropheus behavior

  • Cichlids from different African lakes or South America to prevent crossbreeding or stress

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🏡 Aquarium Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (200 liters) or more recommended to accommodate their territorial behavior and activity level

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 75–81°F (24–27°C)

  • pH: 8.0–9.0 (alkaline water typical of Lake Tanganyika)

  • Hardness: 10–20 dGH

• Tank Setup:

  • Rocky landscape with many caves and crevices to establish territories

  • Strong filtration and water movement to mimic natural habitat

  • Regular water changes to keep water clean and stable

  • Provide a mostly vegetable-based diet to avoid digestive problems