Frontosa (Cyphotilapia frontosa) Care Guide

A majestic deep-water cichlid from Lake Tanganyika with bold black and white vertical bars and a distinctive nuchal hump in mature males. A slow grower that can reach 35 cm and live over 20 years.

Overview

Cyphotilapia frontosa is a species in the family Cichlidae. A majestic deep-water cichlid from Lake Tanganyika with bold black and white vertical bars and a distinctive nuchal hump in mature males. A slow grower that can reach 35 cm and live over 20 years. Despite its size, it is relatively peaceful.

Taxonomy

Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Cyphotilapia
Scientific name: Cyphotilapia frontosa
Other names: Humphead Cichlid
Origin: Africa, Lake Tanganyika

Habitat

Endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it inhabits rocky drop-offs at depths of 10-50 m. Forms harems of one male with several females and feeds primarily on shoaling cyprinids at dawn and dusk. Modern revisions split the complex into several species (C. frontosa s.s., C. gibberosa, C. sp. "north"), each restricted to a different lake basin.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 500 L
Temperature: 24-27 °C
pH: 7.5-9
GH: 10-20 °dGH
Water flow: moderate
Adult size: 25-35 cm
Lifespan: 15-25 years
Recommended group size: ≥ 5
Difficulty: intermediate

Diet

Classified as carnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 1x 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: semi-aggressive
Swimming level: middle
Compatible tank mates: Synodontis Petricola, Other Tanganyikan Cichlids
Avoid with: Mbunas, Small Fish, Aggressive Mbuna

Breeding

Breeding strategy: mouthbrooder
Breeding difficulty: intermediate