{{Short description|Genus of fishes}} {{More citations needed|date=July 2008}} {{Automatic taxobox | image = TropheusspRed200.jpg | image_caption = ''Tropheus moorii'' | taxon = Tropheus | authority = Boulenger, 1898 | type_species = ''Tropheus moorii'' | type_species_authority = Boulenger, 1898 }}
'''''Tropheus''''' is a small genus of at least six species of cichlids endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The genus is widespread across all regions of Lake Tanganyika, from Burundi in the north to Zambia in the south. Males and females are relatively similar in color, with only subtle sexual dimorphism in the form of the male's larger size. All species are maternal mouthbrooders, with the females caring for their eggs and fry in their mouths; this characteristic provides their generic name, ''Tropheus'', which comes from the Greek ''trophos'', which means "to nurse" or, according to Boulenger, "one who rears, brings up, educates".<ref name = ETYFish>{{cite web | url = http://www.etyfish.org/cichlidae5/ | title = Order CICHLIFORMES: Family CICHLIDAE: Subfamily PSEUDOCRENILABRINAE (p-y) | access-date = 21 February 2019 | author1 = Christopher Scharpf | author2 = Kenneth J. Lazara | name-list-style = amp | work = The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database | publisher = Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara | date = 25 September 2018}}</ref> The genus is fished lightly by the local population, but has never become a staple food fish due to its relatively small size and its habitat, which enables it to dart between rocks when threatened.
Most species occur along the coastal fringes of the lake at depths less than 3 m. These rocky shores, with numerous rocky outcroppings and boulder formations, form a habitat similar to many of the mbuna cichlids of Lake Malawi. This habitat provides shelter, and due to the shallow depth and the long hours of strong sunlight, heavy algal growth on which they feed. The only ''Tropheus'' species to dwell further out and deeper in the lake is ''Tropheus duboisi'', which in general inhabits deeper regions of the lake down to around 15–20 m. All species are algal grazers and have underslung mouths adapted to rasping algae and microinvertebrates from submerged rocks.<ref name = Konings>{{cite web | author = Ad Konings | author-link = Ad Konings | title = Tropheus - Home is where the rocks are | url = https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/features/articles/tropheus-home-is-where-the-rocks-are | date = 13 June 2016 | access-date = 21 February 2018 | publisher = Practical Fishkeeping}}</ref>
The genus is relatively popular with aquarium hobbyists due to the beautiful markings and interesting behavior. ''Tropheus moorii'' in particular has become something of a cult fish within the hobby, in spite of the difficulties involved in keeping species of this genus in captivity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/features/tropheus-home-is-where-the-rocks-are/|title = Tropheus - home is where the rocks are|date = 13 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tfhmagazine.com/articles/freshwater/half-a-century-of-experience-with-tropheus-species-a-summary-part-1|title = Half a Century with Tropheus Cichlids | TFH Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aqualog.de/en/blog-en/peaceful-herbivores-far-from-it-tropheus-sp-kasanga/|title = Peaceful herbivores? - far from it! Tropheus sp. "Kasanga"|date = 13 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/care_maint_tropheus.php|title = Care and Maintenance of Tropheus}}</ref>
==Species== [[Image:Tropheus duboisi.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Tropheus duboisi'' from Kigoma]] Six recognized species are in this genus:<ref>{{FishBase genus | genus = Tropheus| month = April | year = 2013}}</ref> * ''Tropheus annectens'' <small>Boulenger, 1900</small> * ''Tropheus brichardi'' <small>Nelissen & Thys van den Audenaerde, 1975</small> * ''Tropheus duboisi'' <small>Marlier, 1959</small> (white spotted cichlid) * ''Tropheus kasabae'' <small>Nelissen, 1977</small> * ''Tropheus moorii'' <small>Boulenger, 1898</small> (blunthead cichlid) * ''Tropheus polli'' <small>G. S. Axelrod, 1977</small>
<!-- not encyclopedic==In the Aquarium== thumb|right|200px|''Tropheus polli'' ''Tropheus'' species have been popular in the aquarium trade for nearly a century. The fish have, however, gained something of a reputation for fragility and are regarded by many cichlid keeping aquarists to be rather demanding to keep. It is certainly true that they should not be considered beginner fish but neither should they be unfairly derided as difficult. When kept in appropriate conditions, they make superb aquarium fish. -->
<!-- not encyclopedic ===Diseases=== ''Tropheus'' species are susceptible to many viral, bacterial and stress-related diseases, delicate as long as the above issues with water quality and feeding are addressed. They are known to be particularly prone to a condition called "bloat", which is purported to be caused by a range of organisms which includes the flagellate (''Cryptobia'' sp.) and/or numerous bacterial species that cause intestinal problems in the genus. Affected fish discharge white feces, may sway or have swim-bladder problems, and frequently stop eating. As with every aspect of fish keeping, prevention is better than cure. -->
== References == {{Commons category}} {{Reflist}} <!-- ---------------------------------------------------------- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for a discussion of different citation methods and how to generate footnotes using the <ref>, </ref> and <reference /> tags ----------------------------------------------------------- -->
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Category:Tropheus Category:Tropheini Category:Cichlid genera Category:Taxa named by George Albert Boulenger