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
Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Lake Tanganyika
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

Tricot's deepwater cichlid is a tall, elegant, peaceful Tanganyikan that lives in schools in the wild, so keep a small group in a large, calm tank. It is easily out-competed, so its tankmates must be gentle and unhurried; boisterous, greedy fish will keep it from feeding. It feeds in open midwater on drifting plankton, taking small mouthfuls, so offer fine frozen foods such as cyclops, small mysis and enriched brine shrimp, fed patiently. It needs length and height, dim light, and stable water. Plan on around 600 liters or more for a group.

In the wild

This cichlid lives deep along the sloping walls of Lake Tanganyika, well below the surface, in dim, cool, stable water. In the tank that means subdued lighting, a long open swimming area over sand with some rock, and rock-solid water quality. Tanganyika water is hard and very alkaline, so keep it around 24 to 27 C and pH 7.8 to 9.0, with gentle but efficient filtration.

Good to know

Benthochromis tricoti is a cichlid reaching about 16.5 centimeters, with males larger and more colourful than the smaller females. It lives at depth and feeds on plankton, using a protrusible mouth to suck in copepods and tiny shrimp. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, but it broods only briefly and is difficult to raise, which keeps it a challenge for experienced keepers.

Did you know

In the lake it lives as deep as 100 meters and more, in large schools, feeding only on tiny drifting plankton; yet on that near-invisible diet it still grows to well over a hand span in length.

Tank mates

Tricot's deepwater cichlid is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.