Cyprichromis Zonatus (Cyprichromis zonatus) Care Guide

Banded Cyprichromis from northern Tanganyika with dark vertical bars and yellow finnage in males. Smaller schooling species; peaceful and excellent dither fish.

Overview

Cyprichromis zonatus is a species in the family Cichlidae. Banded Cyprichromis from northern Tanganyika with dark vertical bars and yellow finnage in males. Smaller schooling species; peaceful and excellent dither fish.

Taxonomy

Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Cyprichromis
Scientific name: Cyprichromis zonatus
Origin: Africa, Lake Tanganyika

Habitat

Endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it forms large open-water shoals above rocky drop-offs. A planktivorous cichlid that feeds on zooplankton in midwater. A maternal mouthbrooder that spawns in open water; described to science relatively recently.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 250 L
Temperature: 24-27 °C
pH: 8.5-9.2
GH: 12-25 °dGH
Adult size: 9-11 cm
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Recommended group size: ≥ 10
Difficulty: intermediate

Diet

Classified as carnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: peaceful
Swimming level: top
Compatible tank mates: Tropheus, Petrochromis, Cyphotilapia frontosa, Julidochromis, Synodontis petricola
Avoid with: Mbuna, Aggressive haps, Boulengerochromis

Breeding

Breeding strategy: mouthbrooder
Breeding difficulty: intermediate