Wave-washed, turbulent rocky shores of the upper rocky biotope.
Geographic distribution:
Northeastern coast of Lake Malawi between Ikombe and Cape Kaiser.
Sexual dimorphism:
Males show orange coloration on the head and shoulders, though less extensive
than in Tropheops sp. ‘red cheek’. Females have a silvery-white ground
color.
Aggression:
Males defend territories on top of relatively large rocks measuring
approximately 1–2 m in diameter, directing the strongest aggression
toward conspecific males.
Special notes:
Closely related to Tropheops sp. ‘red cheek’ and Tropheops sp. ‘lumessi blue’,
differing mainly in the extent of orange coloration in males and in female
ground color.
Photo gallery