The "Red Rainbow" are one of the more popular Tropheus variants due to their bright colors, yet often one of the more criticized of the species because of their mass commercial appeal. The "Red Rainbow" variants are named so because all the colors they can each possess, as described in the profile below. They are all collected from the same rocky shore line that starts at the mouth Kalambo river and ends at Kasanga Bay. Due to being collected from multiple collection points along a ten mile section of coast line, they are often simply named "Tanzania Red Rainbow" although they may be sold or labeled by individual collection points like: Kasanga, Kambwimba, or Kalambo.

The Moorii sub-group of Tropheus are known to cross-breed, so it is not advised to keep other Moorii or sp. Red (formerly Moorii) Tropheus together. The three most important things to consider before keeping any variant of Tropheus are:

1. This fish best survives in a colony environment of 20 or more, with proportioned male to female ratios of at least 1:1 - preferably one male to every two females (at least!).

2. A 10x filtration should be the goal to ensure that your water's quality can keep the pace of your colony of fish. This can be achieved through any combination of filters, along with powerheads to increase the flow and movement of water in the tank. Water changes of at least once every two weeks are required, and most Tropheus keepers will tell you that twice a week will create the best environment for the healthiest fish (think the brightest colors, most active, and a colony with many spawns!).

3. 48", 75 gallon tanks are considered the absolute minimum for long term Tropheus keeping. Its understood that everyone's budget is different, but the goal should be to have your colony in at least a 72", 125 gallon tank. This will give your colony ample room to live and procreate.

Tropheus come from Lake Tanganyika in Africa. Their habitat typically consists of a natural sandy bottom, with randomly sized/shaped rock scattered across the lake bed. There is little to no plant life in their natural habitat. There are strong under currents where they dwell as well. GREAT filtration and GOOD flow must first be achieved before considering the rockscape. Any formation/combination of rocks across the bottom of your tank will be suitable for a colony of Tropheus. Holey rock is considered ideal because of its high buffering properties and the many hiding places it affords Fry once spit from their mother\'s mouth. However, many keepers of Tropheus eventually move on to whichever style of rock most pleases their taste.

Fry, juveniles, and young adults will typically be a drab forest green in color with mild yellow stripes that run the length of the body vertically. The fins will sometimes show colors of light red and/or blue. Once a full sized adult the body will remain the muted forest green, however the yellow vertical stripes will fade and a solid patch of gold will form over the lower flank. The face will turn deep purple and a reflective blue spot will form at the tip of the gill cover. The dorsal and anal fins will turn blood red with flecks of metallic blue running from the tips down. Neon orange egg spots may occur on some adults as well as the pectoral fins turning pastel blue in some alpha males.

These are a colony fish and sustain better in proportioned male/female ratios of 20 or better. They can be kept in small numbers and mixed with other fish that are non-native to Lake Tanganyika, but doing so can change behavior and breeding habits. These fish are very busy by nature and chock full of individual personality.

Lake Tanganyika, Africa

From 5 to 10 years depending on care and environment.

Herbivore

Spirulina, Algae

Monomorphic

Maternal Mouthbrooder

Setting up multiple rock piles in your tank will encourage males to establish territories for which to lure females back to spawn with. Also consider places for Fry to hide once they are spit from the mother\'s mouth, which is where they are held from the time they are spawned as eggs until they are considered free swimmers. This is why Tropheus, as well as many other Lake Tanganyikan fish, are considered "mouth-brooders".

• Aggressive
• Active
• Schooling fish/Usually found in groups
• Territorial
• Aggressive when spawning

Bloat

Occasionally Available