General information – The Tropheus Duboisi is one of the most

popular tropheus species all over the world. Its coloration changes as

young fish develop into adulthood. As juvenile it is an astonishing

cichlid. It has a black body covered with dozens of white spots. As

the Duboisi Cichlid matures it loses its beautiful white spots and

develops a blue head with a vertical yellow or white band. The Tropheus

Duboisi is a very interesting species to keep. Tropheus duboisi is one

of the first Tropheus brought into the United States. Over the years,

they have gotten a bad rap probably due to their aggressiveness and

their temperament in the tank.   

Common Name - Duboisi, Duboisi Cichlid 

Scientific Name - Tropheus duboisi 

Photo by: Gil Peleg

Origin – Africa, Lake Tanganyika 

Size – Up to 13 cm (5 inches)  

First discovered – Marlier 1959 

Nutrition – herbivorous, in nature the tropheus duboisi scrape algae from rocks. 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. Be caution from inappropriate food match  

Behavior - Aggressive 

Maintenance and care - Tropheus duboisi 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 average rock formation can cause to territorial fights.   

Water Parameters – Temperature: 77F-79F, PH: 8- 8.8  

Breeding - Duboisi Cichlids are 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. Female duboisi lays up to 20 eggs.