Kapampa Frontosa Care Guide
The Kapampa Frontosa is a deep-blue form of Cyphotilapia gibberosa from the DRC side of Lake Tanganyika, a large slow-growing centrepiece.
Overview
The Kapampa Frontosa is a regional form of Cyphotilapia gibberosa from Kapampa on the Democratic Republic of the Congo side of Lake Tanganyika. It is marked by deep iridescent blue with crisp black banding. As with all gibberosa, it is a slow-growing apex species requiring a very large tank.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Cyphotilapia
- Scientific name: Cyphotilapia gibberosa "Kapampa"
- Note: C. gibberosa occupies the southern half of the lake
Habitat
Cyphotilapia gibberosa is endemic to Lake Tanganyika and known from the coastal region of the southern half of the lake. Its type specimen was caught at 34 m, and schools occur at 30-40 m or deeper. The Kapampa form comes from the Congolese shore of this range.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 700 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Group size: keep a colony of 5 or more
- Lifespan: 15-25 years
Diet
C. gibberosa is a deep-water predator that feeds on shoaling fish and invertebrates. In the aquarium it accepts meaty foods, fed conservatively to adults given the slow metabolism, typically once daily.
Compatibility
Semi-aggressive and kept as a colony, the Kapampa Frontosa suits mid-water Cyprichromis and Synodontis multipunctatus. Small fish risk being eaten. Avoid mbuna and Tropheus, which are too active and aggressive for this slow species.
Breeding
It is a maternal mouthbrooder; the female holds eggs in her mouth. Captive breeding is intermediate and slow because of the species' growth rate.
Conservation status
Cyphotilapia gibberosa has not been formally evaluated on the IUCN Red List. Its relative C. frontosa is listed as Near Threatened due to fishing pressure in the lake.