Cyathopharynx furcifer Care Guide
Cyathopharynx furcifer is a large featherfin cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika, a plankton-picker of rocky slopes that broods young in the mouth.
Overview
Cyathopharynx furcifer is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae described by Boulenger in 1898. It is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it is widely distributed off rocky slopes. FishBase records a maximum total length of about 21 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Cyathopharynx
- Scientific name: Cyathopharynx furcifer
- Described by: Boulenger, 1898
Habitat
The species is endemic to Lake Tanganyika and widely distributed, living off rocky slopes in the lake. It is a benthopelagic fish, occupying both the bottom and the open water above it where plankton drifts.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 600 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.5-9.2 (FishBase records 8.0-9.0)
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Group size: 5 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
Cyathopharynx furcifer is described by FishBase as a drifting-plankton picker, feeding on plankton in the water column. In the aquarium a varied diet of small frozen and prepared foods supports this open-water feeding style.
Compatibility
This is a large, semi-aggressive species that uses the middle of the tank. Suitable companions include open-water Cyprichromis and larger Cyphotilapia, while aggressive rock-dwellers such as Mbuna and Tropheus should be avoided.
Breeding
According to FishBase, females brood their young in the mouth; eggs from the cleavage phase and larvae of up to about 1.69 cm are mouthbrooded by females ranging from roughly 11.3 to 12.2 cm standard length.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is recorded in commercial fisheries and the aquarium trade.