Moderate
Orange Chilumba Cichlid (Tropheops sp. 'Chilumba')
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 250L
£13.99
In-stock 4-7 cm Red Fin Cichlid for mature Lake Malawi mbuna aquariums with hard alkaline water, rockwork and vegetable-led feeding.
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.
Tropheops tropheops
Red Fin Cichlid 4-7 cm bond and breed in male/female pairs — buying a pair gives them the social structure they need.
In-stock 4-7 cm Red Fin Cichlid for mature Lake Malawi mbuna aquariums with hard alkaline water, rockwork and vegetable-led feeding.
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.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Red Fin Cichlid 4-7 cm is the stocked size band for Tropheops tropheops, a territorial Lake Malawi mbuna best kept in a mature hard-water cichlid aquarium. The older trade name Pseudotropheus tropheops is still common in the hobby, but the important care points are the same: rocky territory, hard alkaline water and a vegetable-led diet.
| Scientific name | Tropheops tropheops |
|---|---|
| Stocked sizes | 4-5 cm and 6-7 cm |
| Adult size | Up to 14 cm |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Temperament | Territorial mbuna |
| Minimum aquarium | 250 litres |
| Temperature | 24-28C |
| pH | 7.5-8.5 |
| Hardness | 10-25 dGH |
| Diet | Spirulina flakes, herbivore cichlid pellets, algae wafers and blanched greens |
Plan this fish for a Lake Malawi rockscape rather than a soft-water community tank. Use stacked rock, caves and broken sight lines so each fish can claim space without holding the whole aquarium. Strong filtration, high oxygen and steady weekly maintenance matter more than chasing sudden parameter changes.
Red Fin Cichlids are active, assertive mbuna. They suit robust Malawi communities with other compatible mbuna and, in larger tanks, suitable Synodontis catfish. Avoid peaceful peacocks, delicate haps, small community fish and shrimp. For groups, one male with several females is safer than keeping two males in a cramped layout.
Keep the diet vegetable-led. Spirulina flakes, algae wafers, herbivore cichlid pellets and occasional blanched greens fit the way this species grazes in nature. Avoid heavy meaty foods as a staple because mbuna are prone to digestive trouble when overfed rich protein.
Choose the 4-5 cm or 6-7 cm variant above, then acclimate slowly into a mature aquarium with the lights low. We pack live fish in insulated boxes with oxygenated bags and seasonal heat protection when needed, and orders are backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee with support from the Tropical Fish Co team.
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