Petrochromis trewavasae
The young Petrochromis trewavasae are very similar in body structure, behavior and juvenile dress to Tropheus duboisi, a dark almost black body with white spots. However, the dots of the duboisi are somewhat brighter and larger.
Just like Tropheus, Petrochromis trewavasae is a real algae eater. Its lips, which it curls around the rocks, are covered with small three-pointed teeth to scrape off the algae. To digest this algae, its intestines can reach a length of ten times its body length. An adult male of 18 centimeters can therefore have intestines of 180 centimeters long. The diet should therefore consist of spirulina flakes and vegetarian granules or flakes, alternating with a sporadic small amount of frozen mysis.
Petrochromis trewavasae is definitely not an easy fish and should only be kept by very experienced Tanganyika keepers. As with the Tropheus, a somewhat larger group is recommended to distribute the mutual aggression. To further limit aggression, the aquarium can be set up without rocks or only with rocks on the bottom so that there is no clear place to build a territory.
Video
Author
John de Lange
Copyright images
Gerry Verrier
