Cichlid question

[NinjaSmurf]

Went into the fish shop the other day (something I try not to do, as it magically makes money disappear from my wallet and new fish show up in my tank) and I saw this itty bitty little fish who was hiding out. So I naturally bend down and take a peek at it, and he cautiously comes out and gives me a once over. It then preceded to watch me till I moved too much and darted back into the plants. If love exists, then I have fallen.

Now, problem is this. One, I don't know jack about this fish. The name on the tag said (with the best of my memory anyways) trupheus moori, and it was a dark color, almost like black but with a faint shadow of what might have been yellow stripes on its sides. Now, is that new world or african? Second, what kind of tank is good for it and yes/no for going in my thirty gallon (below)? (if no, then what tank?)

And finally, (for those who haven't been annoyed with my blatherings and stopped reading already) the price listed for the little guy was 21 US dollars, (which nearly made me follow over, as the fish is only this big ------------) is this too much, or a good deal?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[yhbae]

I'm not expert in that species but I think you fell in love to a wrong species...

It is called Tropheus Moori and this species is very hard to keep. You need a large group of them in a very large tank (typically over 100g). This fish is definitely not for inexperienced aquarists, unfortunately...

 

[Snowie]

It's a Tanganyikan fish. They are schooling fish that should preferablye be kept in a tank of their own in a large group. They are expensive and people who keep them usually get hooked on them.

They are to lake tanganyika what discus are to the amazon, sort of the "orchid" of the lake.

http/www.tropheus.info/

 

[joshua]

Just a point to add. Tropheus are vegetarian and meat based foods should not be fed as it can cause bloat. A good vegetarian food to feed would be spirulina

 

[gixer]

there are quite a few strains of this fish but i beleive the one you saw is a tropheous moori - Lusingo..nkamba bay (muragomoorii) which sounds like the one you described. beautiful fish..but like alredy said, not for a hobbyist with a passing interest.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Bummer. Oh well, someday maybe....

Thanks for the info everyone!