Tropheus Pemba/Bemba

Tropheus Pemba/Bemba is maybe one of the most common and well familiar tropheus species all over the world and one of the most striking species. It has semi elongated dark black body with a shiny wide diagonal orange/red stripe. Like its entire genus the bemba/pemba must be kept in large groups in the tank in order to spread its natural aggressions. 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 Pemba/Bemba with nori algae can enhance its natural colors. This beautiful cichlid 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 Pemba/Bemba 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.