General information – The Kiriza or by its other common name Kaiser

II is an interesting cichlid from lake Tanganika. It has black body with an

astonishing yellow band. The name Kiriza refers to a small village which

is located in the northwest coast of lake Tanganyika.In its tank the

Kiriza swims with honor and dignity just like it was an emperor so its

common name the Emperor Moorii justify itself. Like its entire genus the

Kiriza must be kept in large groups in the tank in order to spread its

natural aggressions.     

Common Name - Kaiser II, Emperor Moorii, Tropheus Sp. Aff. Moorii 

Scientific Name - Tropheus sp. Black "Kiriza" 

Photo by: A. Ben zikri

Origin - Western shore of Ubwari Peninsula, Lake Tanganyika 

Size – Up to 15 cm 

First discovered - Boulenger 1898 

Nutrition – Herbivorous, All Tropheus share the same diet; they are all herbivores, in the wild they

scrape algae and feed on small invertebrates found on rocks. 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 Kiriza 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 Kiriza 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 Kiriza 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, the male have spots on this fin. Fry can be feed

with brine shrimps or with crushed flake foods.