Difficult
Duboisi White-Spotted Cichlid (Tropheus duboisi)
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 250L
From £17.39Some sizes on sale
Mpimbwe locality Tropheus brichardi — a demanding, herbivorous Lake Tanganyika cichlid for experienced keepers with 300 L+ hard-water tanks.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Tropheus brichardi mpimbwe
Tropheus brichardi mpimbwe are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.
Mpimbwe locality Tropheus brichardi — a demanding, herbivorous Lake Tanganyika cichlid for experienced keepers with 300 L+ hard-water tanks.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Cichlids are one of the most diverse fish families in the hobby. From tiny apistogrammas to massive oscars, this guide covers the basics of keeping them well.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Diet comes first with this fish. The Mpimbwe form of Tropheus brichardi is recorded as a herbivore, and that single word should shape your feeding regime before the fish ever arrives: vegetable-based fare, not rich meaty foods. It is the foundation that every successful Tropheus aquarium is built on, and skipping it is the classic mistake the genus does not forgive.
Mpimbwe is a locality form of Tropheus brichardi from Lake Tanganyika, and its care rating — difficult — is an honest one. The temperament on record is semi-aggressive with a tendency to turn territorial, so this is a cichlid for keepers who already understand how assertive Tanganyikans behave. Water must be hard, alkaline and unwavering: 24 to 27 °C, pH between 7.5 and 8.5, and hardness anywhere from 12 to 30 dGH. The minimum aquarium on record is 300 litres, and with a listed lifespan of ten years, the commitment is measured in years of steady upkeep rather than a season of novelty.
Aquascape for its character as well as its swimming: it occupies the middle region, and a tank with real structure means no single fish can dominate every sight line. What do you get for meeting those demands? A boldly behaving Lake Tanganyika cichlid with genuine character. The Mpimbwe name marks a specific collection locality, and locality forms like this are valued precisely because they are kept distinct — a good reason to plan its aquarium deliberately rather than mixing first and researching afterwards.
Choose tankmates from other robust Lake Tanganyika cichlids of similar size and temperament, Synodontis catfish, or — only in very large tanks — non-aggressive Tanganyikan shell dwellers. Small peaceful fish, slow movers, fin-nipping species, anything aggressive and larger than it, and soft-water community fish all belong on the avoid list. Delivery is handled by a licensed live-animal courier, with our live arrival guarantee as standard.
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 250L
24–28°C · pH 8–9 · 300L
24–28°C · pH 8–9 · 300L
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 40L
22–25°C · pH 8–9.2 · 80L
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 80L
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 500L
20–27°C · pH 6–7 · 54L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 150L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.8 · 300L
20–24°C · pH 7–8 · 45L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 2000L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 200L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
18–25°C · pH 6–8 · 100L
24–28°C · pH 7–8 · 120L
18–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 20L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.8 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 40L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 500L