Labeotropheus Trewavasae Care Guide: The Scraper-Mouthed Mbuna
Few mbuna species look quite as unusual as Labeotropheus trewavasae, a rock-dwelling cichlid whose flattened, scraper-like mouth sets it apart from every other fish in your tank. This labeotropheus trewavasae care guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park, Singapore, walks you through housing, feeding, and breeding this hardy but feisty African cichlid. With proper planning, even intermediate hobbyists can keep these colourful mbuna thriving in our tropical climate.
Origin and Natural Habitat
Labeotropheus trewavasae is endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, where it grazes algae from rocky surfaces at depths of 1 to 40 metres. Its distinctive underslung mouth is perfectly adapted for scraping aufwuchs — the biofilm layer of algae, microorganisms, and invertebrates that coats submerged rocks. In the wild, males defend small territories of about one square metre among the boulders, while females roam freely between feeding zones.
Tank Size and Setup
A minimum of 250 litres is sensible for a single-species colony of one male and three to four females. Larger tanks of 400 litres or more allow you to keep a mixed mbuna community and spread aggression. Stack plenty of rocks to create caves, overhangs, and line-of-sight breaks — these are essential for subordinate fish to escape harassment.
Use crushed coral or aragonite substrate to maintain a stable alkaline pH. In Singapore, PUB tap water is soft and slightly acidic, so you will need to buffer your water to reach the pH 7.6-8.6 range that Malawi cichlids require. A bag of coral chips in the filter works well as ongoing buffering.
Water Parameters
Aim for a temperature of 24-27 °C. Singapore’s ambient room temperature of 28-32 °C may push things slightly warm, so a small clip-on fan or chiller can help during peak heat. Hardness should sit between GH 7-12 and KH 6-10. Weekly water changes of 30-40% keep nitrate below 20 ppm, which is critical for long-term mbuna health.
Feeding the Scraper Mouth
Despite the specialised mouth, feeding L. trewavasae in captivity is straightforward. Offer a staple spirulina-based pellet or flake designed for herbivorous cichlids. Supplement with blanched spinach, nori sheets, or cucumber slices two to three times a week. Avoid high-protein foods like bloodworms — these contribute to the potentially fatal condition known as Malawi bloat. A good spirulina pellet in Singapore costs around $12-18 per tub on Shopee or at specialist shops along Serangoon North Avenue 1.
Aggression and Tankmates
Trewavasae males are highly territorial, particularly towards conspecifics and fish with similar colour patterns. Keeping one male per tank is the safest approach unless your setup exceeds 500 litres. Compatible tankmates include other robust mbuna like Pseudotropheus saulosi, Labidochromis caeruleus, and Iodotropheus sprengerae. Avoid pairing with other Labeotropheus species to prevent hybridisation.
Colour Morphs and Selection
One of the most appealing aspects of this species is its remarkable range of colour morphs. Males can appear in solid orange, marbled orange-black (commonly called “OB”), or deep blue depending on collection locality. Females also display striking OB patterns — unusual among mbuna, where females tend toward drab colouration. When purchasing, ask your supplier for the locality name to ensure you are keeping a pure strain.
Breeding in the Home Aquarium
Breeding is typical of maternal mouthbrooders. The male displays at his territory, luring a ripe female who lays 10-30 eggs and immediately scoops them into her mouth. She incubates for approximately 21 days, during which she does not eat. Provide a separate brooding tank or a mesh breeder box so the holding female is not stressed by tankmates. Fry accept crushed spirulina flake from day one.
Common Health Issues
Malawi bloat is the primary concern and is almost always diet-related. Symptoms include a swollen abdomen, loss of appetite, and rapid breathing. Prevention is simple: keep the diet low in animal protein and maintain pristine water quality. Intestinal parasites can occasionally appear in wild-caught specimens; a course of metronidazole at 250 mg per 40 litres, dosed over three days, is the standard treatment. Quarantine new arrivals for at least two weeks before adding them to your main display — a sensible practice that Gensou Aquascaping always recommends.
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Still Have Questions About Your Tank?
Drop by Gensou Aquascaping — most walk-in questions get answered in under 10 minutes by someone who has set up hundreds of tanks.
5 Everton Park #01-34B, Singapore 080005 · Open daily 11am – 8pm
