Physical description: The forehead is steep and the caudal fin is deeply forked. The body color is slate gray, although a black colored variation with white body stripes is available. The eye is bright turquoise in well-maintained water. Size/Length: To 6" (15 cm) Similar species: None Habitat: Eastern Africa; rocky areas at depths of 3-13 feet (1-4 m) near the Bulu Islands and Bulu point, on the northwestern shore of Lake Tanganyika. S: bottom, middle Aquarium: Use a tank with the dimensions of at least 48" (122 cm) with a capacity of 55 gallons (209 L). Arrange as one would for T. moorii. Water chemistry: pH 7.3-9.2 (8.1), 8-22 dH (15), 77-82°F (25-28°C) Social behavior: A highly aggressive fish towards others of its own species. This fish is territorial, although peaceful towards dissimilar species. At this time, it is still unclear as to the nature of the fish, if it is a schooling or loner fish. Pairs from monogamous bonds at spawning times and the mother raises the young. Suggested companions: Julidochromis, Neolamprologus, Eretmodus, Synodontis, Lamprologus. FOOD: Algae; live; crustaceans, aquatic insects, black mosquito larvae; flakes; tablets; oatmeal; vegetables; lettuce, spinach. See notes under Tropheus moorii. Sexual differences: Again sexual distinction is difficult, males may have a greater fork in their tail. Breeding techniques: See recommendations for T. moori. Breeding potential: 7. A moderately difficult fish to breed. Remarks: At least three color morphs are available. T. polli is easily distinguished from other Tropheus species by its characteristic forked caudal fin. Sensitive to changes in water chemistry. See notes under T. moorii. Difficulty of care: 7. Care must be taken in water changes and feeding. See T. moorii for other notes. Recent articles about fish Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees (2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health. Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees (10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine. Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater (12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina. |
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Copyright Rhett Butler 1994-2009 The copy for fish.mongabay.com was written in 1994-1995. Therefore some information such as scientific names may be out of date. For this, I apologize. Feel free to send corrections to me. |
