Description

Tropheus Duboisi Red Band (Tropheus duboisi)

📌 Basic Info

• Scientific Name: Tropheus duboisi

• Common Names: Duboisi Cichlid, Red Band Duboisi, White-Spotted Tropheus

• Family: Cichlidae (Cichlid Family)

• Order: Cichliformes

• Origin: Lake Tanganyika, East Africa — commonly found near Bulu Point and Kigoma regions, inhabiting rocky shorelines and algae-covered shallows.

• Size: Up to 10–12 cm (4–5 inches)

• Lifespan: 8 – 10 years

• Tank Zone: Mid and bottom dweller

🌊 Water Parameters

• Temperature: 24 – 28°C (75 – 82°F)

• pH: 7.8 – 9.0 (alkaline)

• Hardness: 10 – 20 dGH

• TDS: 200 – 400 ppm

🐟 Characteristics

• Juvenile Appearance: Deep black body with numerous bright white spots.

• Adult Appearance: Adults lose their spots and develop a dark navy to black body with a distinct reddish-orange band across the midsection.

• Body Shape: Robust and muscular with rounded fins suited for rocky environments.

• Behavior: Highly active, territorial, and social — best kept in structured colonies.

• Special Feature: Known for its stunning color transformation from juvenile to adult stages.

🍽️ Diet

• Type: Herbivorous

• Diet: Spirulina-based flakes, algae wafers, blanched vegetables (spinach, zucchini), and occasional high-quality cichlid pellets.

• Feeding Frequency: 2–3 times daily in small amounts.

• Tip: Avoid meaty foods — excessive protein can cause “Malawi bloat.”

🛠️ Maintenance

• Tank Size: Minimum 200 liters (55 gallons) for a small colony.

• Filtration: Strong biological filtration with good oxygenation and water flow.

• Substrate: Fine sand or crushed coral to maintain alkalinity.

• Decor: Rocky caves and ledges for territorial separation.

• Lighting: Moderate to bright.

• Water Change: 20–25% weekly to keep parameters stable.

👥 Social Behavior

• Nature: Semi-aggressive and territorial, especially during feeding and breeding.

• Group Size: Best kept in colonies of 8–12 individuals to disperse aggression.

• Tank Mates: Other Tanganyikan species like Julidochromis, Neolamprologus, and Synodontis catfish.

• Avoid: Slow-moving or soft-water species (e.g., Discus, Angelfish).

✅ Do’s
• Maintain alkaline, hard water conditions.
• Provide a colony setup with plenty of rocks.
• Feed mainly spirulina and algae-based foods.

❌ Don’ts
• Avoid high-protein or fatty foods.
• Don’t mix with aggressive African cichlids from other lakes (like Mbuna).
• Avoid keeping singles or pairs — promotes aggression.

⭐ Quick Tip:
The Tropheus Duboisi Red Band is one of Lake Tanganyika’s most striking rock-dwelling cichlids, admired for its beautiful red mid-band and bold juvenile pattern. Ideal for advanced hobbyists, it thrives in clean, alkaline water with a proper herbivorous diet and colony environment.