Appearance: This is a unique variant from Zambia, recognized by the distinctive orange patch on its body. Most related variants (such as 'Mpulungu' or 'Mbita') have a yellow patch instead.
Size: Adult males grow up to 14 cm, while females reach about 12 cm.
Habitat (Biotop): They inhabit the rocky environments of Lake Tanganyika.
Tank Size: A minimum volume of 400 liters and a length of 150 cm is recommended.
Setup: The bottom should consist of fine sand, with a large number of rocks to create hiding spots and visual barriers to help manage aggression.
Water Parameters: The pH must be above 7.5 (ideally up to 9.5), and the temperature should remain constant between 25 and 27°C (never exceeding 29°C). High oxygen content and regular water changes (30–50% weekly) are essential.
Diet: They are strict herbivores. They should be fed spirulina-based foods. It is critical to avoid high-protein foods, as these fish are very susceptible to "bloat."
Aggression: They are highly aggressive, especially toward their own species. For this reason, they should be kept in large groups (15–25 fish) to distribute the aggression. A ratio of at least 3–4 females per male is recommended.
Breeding: They are maternal mouthbrooders. The female carries 6 to 16 eggs in her mouth for approximately 24–26 days. Interestingly, Tropheus females often continue to feed while carrying fry.
Tropheus moorii is one of the oldest described species in the lake (Boulenger, 1898), but due to the numerous color variants, its classification is still a subject of debate among experts (such as Ad Konings).
The 'Kasakalawe' variant is found in Zambia and is one of the most popular variants among hobbyists due to its vibrant orange coloration.