Tropheus Moorii Ilangi

The tropheus moorii ilangi, or firecracker tropheus, is called the "king of the tropheus" because this species may be the rarest and prettiest of all Lake Tanganyikan species. The Ilangi come from a small bay of Lake Tanganyika and are difficult-to-breed mouthbrooders. In the wild, these colorful fish live in colonies of about 20 adults. All tropheus cichlids are herbivores and need veggies but will eat frozen foods from time to time. This fish is territorial but peaceful enough to keep with a community cichlid tank. Slow to grow but hardy.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Use a sand bottom and plenty of rockwork that grows algae for grazing. Strong filtration and very clean water are essential. Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids need hard, alkaline water; crushed coral or aragonite sand helps hold the pH up.

Feeding: Tropheus are strict plant eaters. Feed a vegetable-based flake or pellet in small amounts, and avoid rich, meaty foods, which can make them very sick.

Tankmates: Keep Tropheus in a group of a single variety, with one or a few males. Avoid mixing different Tropheus varieties, which will crossbreed and fight. Peaceful Tanganyikans like cyprichromis or synodontis can share the tank.

Good to know: Add Tropheus all at once as a group; adding single fish later often leads to fighting.