Tropheus Kaiser Ikola 9cm

Tropheus Kaiser

Tropheus are a large family of African cichlids which are extremely popular with aquarists who specialize in keeping African fish species. Also known as the trophies Ikola this species is a naturally occurring species from lake Tanganyika. They extremely striking with a dark black body with an equally dark blue around the mouth and pectoral fins along with a very bright, sulfur-like band across the midsection of their body. The Kaiser is a great and rarer alternative to the commonly available trophies Duboisi which can have a dark blue color that may not appeal to everyone. The tropheus kaiser will get to around 15 cm (6 inches) making it a fairly sizeable African cichlid, but a very striking one as well. Unlike African peacocks which are known to be semi-aggressive fish, the tropheus are regarded to be slightly more aggressive which is why they are generally kept in species-only tanks. Tropheus kaiser can be fairly difficult to distinguish the gender however there are a few slight features that can be looked at. Males tend to have a turned-up nose while females tend to have a greater slope and rounded nose. Males will also grow at a faster rate and display their adult colors sooner. Adult males will also tend to have a deeper body, whereas females appear slimmer and streamline. 

Tank Recommendations for your Tropheus Kaiser

The tropheus kaiser is a very active fish that needs a tank that is at least 125 gallons (470 liters) and around 4 feet minimum width. A sand substrate is best as they do routinely sift through the sand to find food. Because Tropheus Kaiser can be a little bit more aggressive when compared to other African cichlids so it really recommended having lots of caves, hiding places, and visual breaks so fish can set up their own territories. 

Suitable Tank Buddies

Tropheus in general is recommended to be kept in a species-only tank and maintaining a ‘harem’. This means that there is one male Tropheus with multiple females, as the minimum tank size for these fish is 120cm x 60cm x 60cm, it’s recommended to keep one-two males with six-seven females as this ensures that aggression is evenly diffused. However, they can be kept in a mixed African cichlids tank with larger growing Africans.

Usually Compatible

Other tropheus kaiser and larger growing African cichlids such as frontosa, fuscodichromis, and other haplochromide species.

Sometimes Compatible

Large adult peacock cichlids

Rarely Compatible

South American cichlids such as Oscars and Jaguar Cichlids, smaller African cichlids such as Mbunas, and tetra species.

Feeding your Tropheus Kaiser

Tropheus, in general, are very easy fish to feed, they easily take to pellets, flakes, and a vast range of prepared aquarium foods, however. their diet should contain good quality African cichlid pellets with high contents of spirulina or greens. Algae can also be promoted to grow in the aquarium as a natural food source for the fish as tropheus will readily graze on this. Feeding should occur once a day and it is best to do so during the day.