Tropheus Moorii

Looks how to spot one

Deep-bodied algae-grazing cichlid

A stocky fish with a rounded, blunt snout and thick lips suited to scraping rocks; males tend to be deeper-bodied with a more upturned nose.3

Personality what they are like

Easy-going with other kinds of fish but busy and competitive within its own group, where a clear pecking order forms; it does best in a large, settled colony.23

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Constantly on the move, grazing over rock surfaces through the day and patrolling a feeding spot.32

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

An experienced keeper's fish: needs very clean, hard, alkaline water with frequent changes and a group set up all at once, as newcomers are hard to add later.2

Home where they are happiest

For a group, at least 150 x 45 x 45 cm, ideally with 15-20 fish; open swimming space plus rockwork. Temperature about 23-27 C, pH 8.0-9.5, hardness around 8-25 dGH.21

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Mainly a plant and algae eater: base the diet on spirulina flakes, blanched spinach and nori with a little live or frozen food; avoid red meats.21

Company who they like around

A colony fish; kept in a large group of 15-20 so attention is spread evenly.2

The story where it all began

Boulenger described the species in 1898, naming it after John Edmund Sharrock Moore, the explorer-naturalist who collected it. Its many lake-wide colour forms have made it one of the most collected Tanganyikan cichlids in the aquarium hobby.31

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Near Threatened (assessed 28 February 2025)1

Taxonomy

Described by George Albert Boulenger in 18981