{"product_id":"tropheus-sp-gold-firecracker-tropheus-sp-gold-firecracker","title":"Tropheus sp. \"Gold Firecracker\" | Tropheus sp. 'Gold Firecracker'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fiery gold-banded Tropheus with all the colony charisma the genus is famous for. The \"Gold Firecracker\" is a strict vegetarian grazer that rewards keepers who commit to its specific diet and social needs with one of the most vividly coloured cichlids from Lake Tanganyika.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFound in the rocky littoral shallows of Lake Tanganyika, East Africa, where this locality form grazes algae (\"Aufwuchs\") off submerged rocks in the wild.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA deep-bodied, torpedo-shaped cichlid, dark-bodied with a bright golden-yellow band across the flank that gives this morph its \"Firecracker\" name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAggressive and colonial - individuals squabble constantly to establish pecking order, but a large enough group spreads this aggression out and is generally more settled than a small group. Relatively tolerant of other Tanganyikan species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrictly herbivorous - feed spirulina flake\/pellets, blanched vegetables and nori. Avoid high-protein foods almost entirely, as they are a major cause of bloat, a common and often fatal Tropheus ailment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeeds pristine, very alkaline, hard water and a large colony (15-20+) to buffer aggression - this is not a beginner fish, and poor diet or crowding quickly leads to health problems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder - females hold a small number of large eggs\/fry in the mouth for several weeks. Breeding happens naturally within an established colony given good conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropheus sp. 'Gold Firecracker' (locality colour form, Tropheus moorii complex)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGold Firecracker Tropheus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Tanganyika, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 14cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8-10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAggressive (colonial)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 litres (not recommended below colony size)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400+ litres for a colony of 15-20\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore - strictly vegetable-based\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8-9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDedicated Tanganyikan herbivore colony tanks, experienced keepers only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo - herbivorous, will strip soft plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther rock-dwelling Tanganyikan cichlids that don't compete directly for the same algae-grazing niche, such as Cyprichromis or Julidochromis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther Tropheus locality morphs (they will hybridise), protein-rich-diet cichlids that encourage overfeeding of meaty foods, and any fish too timid to hold territory.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232787480867,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232787513635,"sku":"AA3451","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232787546403,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Tropheus_sp.__Gold_Firecracker_91e59407-59ac-44df-9470-808621f522e2.jpg?v=1781446604","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/tropheus-sp-gold-firecracker-tropheus-sp-gold-firecracker","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}