Appearance: This specific variant is known for a bright red mark on the underside of its head. The body is generally dark with burgundy/red tones. Unlike T. moorii, it lacks small spots on the head and has a dark brown or reddish (rather than bluish) front part of the anal fin.
Size: Adults reach about 14 cm (males) and 12 cm (females).
Habitat (Biotop): They live in rocky environments in Lake Tanganyika.
Diet: They are herbivores. In the wild, they graze on filamentous algae (aufwuchs). In an aquarium, they should be fed spirulina-based flakes and low-protein foods to avoid "bloat."
Tank Size: Minimum recommended is 400 liters (at least 150 cm in length).
Setup: Use fine sand and many rocks to create hiding spots and visual barriers. High oxygen levels and clean water (regular 30-50% weekly changes) are essential.
Water Parameters: pH should be between 7.5 and 9.5, and temperature should stay between 25–27°C (never exceeding 29°C).
Social Structure: Best kept in large groups of 15 to 25 fish to distribute aggression. Ideally, have 3 to 4 females for every male.
Breeding: They are maternal mouthbrooders. Females carry about 6 to 16 large eggs (5–7 mm) in their mouths for 24–26 days. Uniquely, Tropheus females often continue to feed while carrying fry.
Aggression: They are highly aggressive toward their own species (intra-specific aggression) but generally less aggressive toward other species.
There is an ongoing debate among experts (like Ad Konings and Van Steenberge) regarding whether T. sp. 'red' is a distinct species or a synonym of Tropheus moorii. DNA evidence and breeding preferences suggest they are likely distinct. The "Chimba" variant is part of a distribution range that spans from Zambia into the Congo.