General information - The Moliro is known to be one of the most

aggressive tropheus species. To reduce aggression in the tank, it is

best to keep at least 15 moliros together. Two males can be kept

together if the ratio is 7-8 females to each male. It mainly found in

Moliro bay and in Livua bay in south Tanganika Lake. Its ravishing

red color and its unique nature makes the moliro a very popular

tropheus species. The red Moliro belongs to the moorii group.   

Common Name – Moliro, Blunt-Headed, Bloodchest moorii 

Scientific Name - Tropheus moorii red Moliro 

Photo by: Nesi

Origin – South Tanganika Lake 

Size - Up to 13 cm  

First discovered - Boulenger 1898 

Nutrition - Herbivorous, in nature the Moliro 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. 

Behavior – Highly aggressive 

Maintenance and care - Tropheus Moliro should be kept in groups in large fish tanks. 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 f

ormation can cause to territorial fights. They especially do not do well with fish such as calvus, lelupi

and other carnivores from the lake because of their diet.       

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

Breeding - Moliro 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, . Female Moliro lays up to 20 eggs. Fry can be feed with

brine shrimps or with crushed flake foods