Maswa Tropheus

The Maswa Tropheus is one of the most visually dramatic cichlids due to its transformation from a black, white-spotted juvenile to an adult with a deep blue-black head and a bright yellow-orange saddle band across the body. Like all Tropheus, it requires a strictly herbivorous diet and is prone to 'Malawi bloat' if fed protein-rich foods.

Water: 24-27°C, pH 7.8-9.0, very hard alkaline water; very stable parameters and excellent filtration. Tank: Minimum 200L; dense rocky structure to diffuse the intense social aggression within the group. Feeding: Strictly herbivore — spirulina, algae wafers, and blanched vegetables; NO animal proteins. Behaviour: Highly aggressive among themselves; keep in large groups of 12+ to spread aggression and reduce casualties. Compatibility: Tropheus-only tank strongly recommended; single-species or with very robust Petrochromis.