Red Cheek Tropheops (Tropheops sp. 'red cheek') is an intermediate-level freshwater fish that needs at least 75 gallons and 75-82°F. A hardy Malawi mbuna with a red-orange wash on the cheek and a grazing, rock-hugging lifestyle. Like most mbuna it is pushy, so it does best in a rocky, hard-water tank stocked with other tough mbuna and extra females.
Care facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Tropheops sp. 'red cheek' |
|---|---|
| Family | Cichlidae |
| Origin | Lake Malawi, East Africa |
| Adult size | 5-6 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gallons |
| Temperature | 75-82°F |
| pH | 7.8-8.6 |
| Temperament | Aggressive, territorial |
| Social behavior | One male with several females, in a rock-heavy tank |
| Swim level | Mid to bottom |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Diet | Mostly herbivore: spirulina flake and vegetable-based pellets, some frozen foods |
| Typical lifespan | 6-8 years |
Quick tips
- Use hard, alkaline water and stacked rockwork.
- Keep one male with several females to spread out aggression.
- Feed a vegetable-based diet; too much meat causes bloat.
San Diego water
Naturally suited to San Diego's hard, alkaline tap water once it is dechlorinated (the city uses chloramine, so use a conditioner that handles it). Learn the numbers in our San Diego tap water guide.
Before you buy
Make sure your tank is cycled (how to cycle a tank), check your numbers with the water testing guide, and use the compatibility guide to check tankmates. These are general ranges; individual fish and local water vary.
Find it at Pet Zone
Pet Zone Tropical Fish is a San Diego aquarium store with two locations. Stock changes daily, so call ahead if you are after a specific species or plant. Shop online at petzonesd.com.
4160 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 987-0309
Open daily, 10am-6pm
Aquascaping, planted tanks
4266 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
(619) 283-1812
Closed Monday; Tue-Fri 10:30am-6pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm
Monster fish, koi