Tropheus moorii bemba
The Tropheus moorii bemba inhabits the northwestern part of Lake Tanganyika, Africa, under natural conditions. The fish stay in the coastal area among the rocks at a depth of 1-5 m. These cichlids are not demanding, so even beginners can keep them.
Tropheus moorii bemba have a black body colour with small spots or irregularly shaped transverse stripes, red, yellow or white. Sexual differences are difficult to identify. The male is larger, while the female has a rounded abdomen, which is particularly noticeable during the spawning period. Fish reach a size of 14 cm.
Tropheus Bemba are aggressive fish, but their aggression is usually limited to intraspecific confrontation between males and other fish of similar coloration and body-pattern. Therefore, avoid keeping fish of the same coloration together, it will considerably reduce conflicts between them. Select fish of different colours, e.g. one specimen each in blue, red, yellow and other colours. Also keep only one male. The ideal is to keep 1 male and 4 to 5 females.
Keep a group of 5-6 fish requires an aquarium of 350 liters. The aquarium can do without plants, grottos and large rocks. In this case, you can avoid territorial disputes between fish. Keeping Bemba trophaeus in a community tank with other fish of similar size, which will be able to defend themselves if necessary. Never keep African cichlids from different lakes in the same tank, as the water parameters, behavior and feeding may then be incompatible. Keep fish from Lake Malawi, only from Malawi, and from Lake Tanganyika, only from Tanganyika.
Water parameters: temperature 24-26º C, hardness dH 6-18º, acidity pH 8,5-9,0. Requires filtration, aeration and a weekly change of 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh.
The menu of Bemba trophaeus in natural conditions consists of algae, which they nibble on the surface of rocks, as well as small organisms that live in them. In an aquarium, the fish are fed spirulina with nori algae and artemia. Occasionally, not more than once a week, the fish can be fed protein food. The fish do not refuse to flake and pelleted food containing spirulina, chopped salad leaves, spinach, dandelion and nettle. Feed in small portions 3-4 times a day.
Reproduction
Female Tropheus moorii bemba immediately after spawning and fertilization of eggs male, collects all the eggs to her mouth, where it is incubated for about 4 weeks. After this period, the fully formed fry leave the female's mouth. Female very much depleted during the incubation of eggs and therefore, immediately after hatching fry, it is desirable for 2-3 days to put it in another aquarium and intensively fed a variety of food.
The fry are fed with Artemia nauplii at least 4 times per day.
Life expectancy Tropheus moorii bemba in aquarium conditions is 6-10 years.
