General information – With its beautiful colors and with its naughty

behavior the Chilanga is one of the most desired tropheus species all

over the world. Although it is known as Chilanga it is also known as

the Tropheus sp. "Red" Nkamba. The name Nkamba refers to a small

village which is located in the coast of lake Tanganyika. Like its entire

genus the Chilanga must be kept in large groups in the tank in order to

disperse its natural aggressions. The Chilanga is endemic species to

lake Tanganyika, in its natural habitat the Chilanga founds in Shallow

Precipitous Rocky environments.  

Common Name - Chilanga 

Scientific Name - Tropheus sp. "Red" (Nkamba Bay) 

Photo by: philip

Origin – Lake Tanganyika, Africa  

Size – 12-15 cm 

First discovered - Unknown 

Nutrition – herbivores, the Chilanga like its entire genus is an algae grazer, in nature they also on feed

on small invertebrates found on rocks and among the algae. Many foods that are good for most Cichlids

can be lethal for the Chilanga. They should be fed with veggie based foods. In captivity it requires a

varied diet, quality veggie flakes should be supplemented with fresh and frozen green food. It can feed

with "light" frozen foods such as brine shrimp or daphnia 1-2 times a week but feeding it on a daily

basis or with rich protein foods such as bloodworms can lead to Malawi bloat or to internal parasites. 

Feeding the Chilanga with nori algae can enhance its natural colors.  

Behavior - Aggressive 

Maintenance and care - This beautiful tropical fish should be kept in groups in large aquariums.

The aquarium should be decorated with lot of rocks that creates a lot of hiding places but also requires

plenty of room to swim. The tank can be decorated with only few rocks that placed randomly in the tank.

To be accurate the tank can be decorated with heavy rock formation or with 3-4 rocks but poor rock

formation will lead to territorial fights. In nature, the Chilanga found in rocky environments, in its natural

habitat the water is rich in oxygen and its fish tank should therefore have vigorous water movements.

Good filtration system is also essential to this magnificent cichlid.     

Water Parameters - Temperature: 24C-27C, PH: 8-9, dGH: 8-20   

Breeding - Tropheus Chilanga is mouthbrooders. The female will take the unfertilized eggs in her mouth;

eggs will be fertilized after the male release his milt into her mouth. This process occurs when the 

female follow the male very close to his anal fin.  Fry can be feed with brine shrimps or with

crushed flake foods.