White-Spotted Cichlid
Tropheus duboisi
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F (23–28°C)
- pH
- 7.5–9.0
- Adult size
- 4.7 in (12 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal (110 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Lake Tanganyika
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
Keep it in a larger group, six or more, which helps spread aggression rather than letting it focus on one or two fish. They hold in the middle and lower water and graze constantly on rock surfaces. The big rule is diet: feed vegetable and algae-based foods like spirulina, and avoid protein-heavy feeding, which causes serious digestive problems. Give them about 110 liters or more with plenty of rock.
In the wild
This Tropheus lives along the rocky shores of Lake Tanganyika, grazing algae off the rocks in clean, oxygen-rich water. To keep it well you need a rocky tank and hard, alkaline water on the high side, with a pH from about 7.5 up toward 9. Hold the temperature in the mid 20s C and keep oxygen levels high with good flow.
Good to know
It is a Tanganyikan cichlid in the family Cichlidae and reaches about 12 cm. Juveniles are black with bright white spots, while adults shift to a dark blue-black body with a yellow band behind the head. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, with the female carrying eggs and fry in her mouth, and breeding it is difficult. Its gut is built for a high-fiber, algae-based diet.
Did you know
Young fish look nothing like the adults. The striking black body covered in white dots is a juvenile color stage that fades as the fish grows, replaced by the deep blue-black body and single yellow band of the adult. People sometimes buy the spotted juveniles not realizing the look is temporary.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- LiveAquaria Freshwater and saltwater fish, inverts and corals
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- Dan's Fish Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with a live arrival guarantee
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping White-Spotted Cichlid?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Blue-eyed Tropheus
Tropheus brichardi4.3 in (11 cm)37 gal (140 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Blunthead cichlid
Tropheus moorii5.5 in (14 cm)92 gal (350 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Banded acara
Bujurquina vittata4.7 in (12 cm)34 gal (130 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Blockhead Cichlid
Steatocranus casuarius4.7 in (12 cm)25 gal (95 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Electric yellow cichlid
Labidochromis caeruleus4.7 in (12 cm)42 gal (160 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Yellow-tail acei
Pseudotropheus acei4.7 in (12 cm)42 gal (160 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)