TankBud

Tricot's deepwater cichlid

Benthochromis tricoti

Also known as Benthochromis tricotti

FreshwaterFish

Tricot's deepwater cichlid (Benthochromis tricoti)
The original uploader was MidgleyDJ at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 2.5

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.8–9.0
Adult size
6.5 in
16.5 cm
Minimum tank
159 gal
600 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Tanganyika

Overview

Tricot's deepwater cichlid is a tall, peaceful Tanganyikan for a large, calm tank. It is a challenge best left to experienced keepers.

Did you know

Tricot's deepwater cichlid lives as deep as 100 meters and more in the lake, in large schools. It feeds only on tiny drifting plankton, yet it still grows to well over a hand span long.

Caring for the Tricot's deepwater cichlid

Plan on a tank of at least 159 gal (600 L) for a group of Tricot's deepwater cichlids. It needs length and height, dim light and a long open swimming area over sand with some rock.

Keep its water quality stable and rock-solid. The water should be hard and very alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.8 to 9.0. Filtration should be gentle but efficient.

It feeds in open midwater, taking small mouthfuls, so offer fine frozen foods such as cyclops, small mysis and enriched brine shrimp. Feed patiently. It is easily out-competed, and boisterous, greedy fish will keep it from feeding. Its tank mates must be gentle and unhurried.

Tricot's deepwater cichlid is peaceful and social, so keep a small group. Males are larger and more colorful than females. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, but the female broods only briefly. It is also difficult to raise, so breeding it is hard.

Good to know

Tricot's deepwater cichlid, Benthochromis tricoti, is a member of the family Cichlidae, sometimes listed as Benthochromis tricotti. It uses a protrusible mouth to suck in copepods and tiny shrimp.

In the wild

Tricot's deepwater cichlid lives deep along the sloping walls of Lake Tanganyika, well below the surface. The water there is dim, cool and stable.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Tricot's deepwater cichlid is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Tricot's deepwater cichlid need?

A Tricot's deepwater cichlid needs at least 159 gal (600 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Tricot's deepwater cichlid need?

A Tricot's deepwater cichlid is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.

What does a Tricot's deepwater cichlid eat?

A Tricot's deepwater cichlid eats fine frozen foods such as cyclops, small mysis and enriched brine shrimp. It takes small mouthfuls in open midwater, so feed it patiently.

How big does a Tricot's deepwater cichlid get?

An adult Tricot's deepwater cichlid reaches about 6.5 in (16.5 cm).

How can you tell a male Tricot's deepwater cichlid from a female?

Males are larger and more colorful than females.

How does a Tricot's deepwater cichlid breed?

Tricot's deepwater cichlid is a maternal mouthbrooder, but the female broods only briefly. It is also difficult to raise, so breeding it is hard.

Related species