Description:
Tropheus Duboisi, commonly known as the White Spotted Cichlid, is a striking Lake Tanganyika cichlid known for its dramatic colour transformation as it matures. Juveniles have a dark body covered in contrasting white spots, while adults develop a deep blue to almost black body with a distinctive pale yellow and/or white band.
Native to the rocky shorelines of Lake Tanganyika, Tropheus Duboisi are active grazers that spend much of their time picking algae and microorganisms from rocks. They are highly social fish that establish a clear hierarchy within their group and are best suited to aquariums with plenty of rockwork, hiding places and open areas for grazing.
Temperament:
Tropheus Duboisi are territorial and can be aggressive towards their own kind, particularly when kept in small groups. Keeping them as a properly established group helps spread aggression throughout the hierarchy and allows them to develop their natural social structure.
They can be kept with other suitable Lake Tanganyika cichlids with caution, as long as the aquarium is appropriately sized and arranged with plenty of rockwork and visual barriers. Care should be taken when introducing new fish to an established colony, as unfamiliar additions may be heavily targeted.
Diet:
Tropheus Duboisi are primarily herbivorous grazers and naturally spend much of their time feeding on algae and microorganisms growing across rocks. Their aquarium diet should reflect this natural feeding behaviour, with a quality plant-based or spirulina-rich food forming the majority of their diet.
Blanched vegetables such as zucchini and spinach can also be offered occasionally. Avoid regularly feeding large amounts of rich or high-protein foods, as Tropheus can be sensitive to an inappropriate diet.
Breeding Behaviour:
Tropheus Duboisi are maternal mouthbrooders. During breeding, the female collects and carries the fertilised eggs in her mouth, protecting them until they hatch and develop into free-swimming fry.
A suitable breeding colony with stable water conditions, plenty of rockwork and minimal disturbance provides the best opportunity for natural breeding behaviour. Once released, the fry can be raised on appropriately sized, nutritious foods.
Tank Setup:
A rocky Lake Tanganyika-style aquarium is ideal for Tropheus Duboisi. Use plenty of smooth rocks to create territories, caves and visual barriers, while leaving open areas where the fish can graze naturally.
A sandy or fine-grained substrate works well, and strong filtration with good oxygenation is recommended to maintain clean, stable water conditions. Hardy plants such as Anubias or Java Fern can be used if desired, although plants are not essential to their setup.
Care Guide:
- Species – Tropheus duboisi
- Common Name – White Spot Cichlid, Duboisi Cichlid
- Origin – Lake Tanganyika, Africa
- Temperament – Territorial / Semi-aggressive
- Diet – Herbivore
- Minimum Tank Requirement – 200 litres
- Tank Level – Mid to bottom dweller
- Care Level – Moderate
- PH Range – 8.0 – 9.0
- Temperature – Tropical 24 – 28°C
- Breed Type – Maternal mouthbrooder
- Size – Up to 12 cm
- Lifespan – Approximately 5 – 8 years
- Sex – Un-sexed
Acclimation Guide:
- Float the Bag: Place the unopened bag in your tank and let it float for 15–20 minutes. This lets the water inside the bag slowly match your tank’s temperature.
- Turn Off the Lights: Keep the aquarium lights off during this process. It helps keep things calm and prevents sudden temperature changes.
- Add a Bit of Tank Water: After floating, carefully open the bag and pour out about half the water into a sink or bucket (not into your tank). Then, slowly add small amounts of your tank water into the bag over 15–20 minutes. This helps your fish adjust to the new water conditions.
- Gently Move the Fish: Use a fish net to gently move your fish from the bag into the tank. Try not to pour the bag water into your tank — this helps keep your aquarium clean and healthy.
- Watch and Wait: It’s normal for fish to hide or act a bit shy at first. Keep an eye on them, and avoid doing a water change for the first 24 hours to give them time to settle in.
- Feeding Behaviour: New fish may not eat any food for the first 12-24 hours whilst it is settling into its new environment, please allow some time before feeding as the food may go to waste.
For more detailed steps and tips, feel free to visit our Acclimation Guide in our Education tab to help make the transition as smooth as possible for your new fish.
Tropheus Duboisi
Tropheus Duboisi
Size Guide
Adult size 12cm
Selected size —
Out of stock
Tropheus Duboisi are best kept in groups of 8 or more, which helps spread aggression and establish a natural social hierarchy. A larger group also allows them to display their natural social behaviour. Discount applies automatically when added to cart.
Need more details? Everything about shipping, care and guarantees is just below.
Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee
Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee
✅ Healthy Fish Guarantee - All orders are covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with DOA (Dead On Arrival) policies in place for peace of mind.
🚚 $30 flat-rate shipping - Arrives within 1-4 business days, Free shipping on fish for orders over $150.
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Tank Requirements - Quick Overview
Tank Requirements - Quick Overview
If your aquarium is new, it may not be fully cycled yet. Newly set up tanks benefit from being fully cycled before adding fish, this process helps your new fish stay happy and healthy. Depending on your tank size, cycling can take up to 4–6 weeks or even longer, but there are ways to speed up this process to just a few days! If your tank has already been running for a while, you’re already good to go! Not sure what cycling means? Check out our guide on The Nitrogen Cycle for an easy explanation on what it is, and why it is important for your aquarium to thrive.
🐟 Want expert tips for your aquarium? Beginners can start with How to set up your aquarium, while everyone can check out Aquarium Maintenece & Care for ongoing tank tips!
How We Package & Ship Your Fish - Video
How We Package & Ship Your Fish - Video
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Tank Mate Compatibility
✅ Compatible With
- Other Tropheus Duboisi — Best kept as a large colony of the same species, which helps distribute aggression throughout the group
- Cyprichromis — Open-water schooling cichlids that occupy the upper levels of the aquarium and generally avoid competing with rock-dwelling Tropheus for territory
- Other Tropheus Species (large aquariums) — Can be kept together by experienced keepers in very large, carefully planned aquariums, although aggression and hybridisation must be considered
- Robust Tanganyika Herbivores — Carefully selected Lake Tanganyika cichlids with similar water requirements and high-fibre, algae-based dietary needs can sometimes work in suitable setups
- Shell Dwellers (large aquariums) — May work in very large, long aquariums where the shell dwellers and Tropheus occupy completely different areas and territories
❌ Avoid or Use Caution
- Slow or Timid Fish — Tropheus are fast, active feeders and can easily outcompete slower fish for food while also subjecting them to persistent harassment
- Carnivorous or High-Protein Fish — Species requiring regular meaty foods are unsuitable, as Tropheus require a specialised, high-fibre herbivorous diet and are prone to digestive problems when overfed high-protein foods
- Small Community Fish — Tetras, Guppies and other small community fish are not suitable for the aggressive, specialised environment required by Tropheus
- Lake Malawi Mbuna — Although occasionally mixed by experienced keepers, differences in temperament, aggression and dietary requirements can lead to serious fighting and stress
- Mixed Species Breeding Setups — Keeping different Tropheus species together can result in aggression, disrupted breeding and potential hybridisation
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Tropheus Duboisi get?
Tropheus Duboisi can grow to around 12 cm in length when fully grown. Their growth rate is influenced by diet, water quality, tank size and overall care, with well-maintained fish developing into healthy, robust adults.
Are Tropheus Duboisi aggressive?
Yes, Tropheus Duboisi are territorial and can be aggressive, particularly towards their own species. Much of this aggression is related to establishing a social hierarchy. Keeping them in a properly sized group helps spread aggression between multiple fish and allows their natural social structure to develop.
How many Tropheus Duboisi should I keep together?
Tropheus Duboisi are best kept as a group rather than as a single fish or small pair. A larger, properly established group helps distribute aggression and gives the fish a more natural social structure. A minimum aquarium size of around 200 litres is recommended, with larger aquariums preferred for larger groups.
What do Tropheus Duboisi eat?
Tropheus Duboisi are primarily herbivorous grazers and should be fed a diet based around quality spirulina or plant-based foods. Blanched vegetables such as zucchini and spinach can also be offered occasionally. Avoid regularly feeding large amounts of rich, high-protein foods, as an inappropriate diet can cause digestive problems in Tropheus.
Can Tropheus Duboisi live with other fish?
They can be kept with other robust Lake Tanganyika cichlids that have similar water and dietary requirements, provided the aquarium is large enough and carefully arranged. Plenty of rockwork, hiding places and visual barriers can help reduce territorial disputes. Avoid combining them with small, delicate or incompatible species.
Can I add new Tropheus Duboisi to an established group?
Adding unfamiliar fish to an established Tropheus colony can be risky, as existing fish may heavily target the newcomers. If new fish need to be introduced, rearranging the rockwork and territories first can help disrupt the established hierarchy and reduce the intensity of aggression.
What tank setup do Tropheus Duboisi need?
A rocky Lake Tanganyika-style aquarium is ideal. Use smooth rocks to create territories, caves and visual barriers while leaving open areas for grazing. A sandy or fine-grained substrate works well, and strong filtration with good oxygenation is recommended to maintain clean, stable water conditions.
Do Tropheus Duboisi need plants?
No, plants are not essential. Their natural habitat is dominated by rocky areas rather than heavily planted environments. If desired, hardy plants such as Anubias or Java Fern can be added and attached to rocks or other décor, provided they do not interfere with the fish's grazing areas.
How do Tropheus Duboisi breed?
Tropheus Duboisi are maternal mouthbrooders. The female collects the fertilised eggs into her mouth and carries them until they hatch and develop into free-swimming fry. A stable breeding colony with suitable water conditions, plenty of rockwork and minimal disturbance provides the best opportunity for natural breeding.
How can you tell male and female Tropheus Duboisi apart?
Tropheus Duboisi are difficult to sex reliably, particularly when young. Males and females can look very similar, and reliable sexing is generally easier once the fish are mature and displaying breeding behaviour. For this reason, they are commonly sold as un-sexed fish.
Do Tropheus Duboisi need special water conditions?
Yes. They require hard, alkaline and stable water similar to their natural Lake Tanganyika environment, with a recommended pH of around 8.0–9.0 and temperatures of approximately 24–28°C. Consistency is important, so avoid sudden changes in temperature or water chemistry.
Are Tropheus Duboisi suitable for beginners?
They can be suitable for aquarists with some experience keeping African cichlids, but they are considered a moderate-care species. Their sensitivity to an inappropriate diet, territorial behaviour and need for stable alkaline water make them less forgiving than many beginner-friendly community fish. With the correct group, diet, aquarium setup and water conditions, they can be very rewarding to keep.
A Note on Our Fish:
Fish may vary slightly in colour, size, and pattern from those pictured or shown in images and videos. This is natural across all fish, whether bred in-house, locally sourced, or imported, as individual variation is part of what makes each fish unique!
Every fish is quality checked for health, behaviour, and appearance before leaving our fish room. Fish that are dispatched as juveniles will grow into their adult size and colouration over time with a good balanced diet and proper care.