Frontosa Cichlid
Cyphotilapia frontosa
Frontosa Cichlid (Cyphotilapia frontosa) is a freshwater species with an adult-size reference of about 35 cm. It needs at least 600 litres and 6 individuals, with its social and territorial profile taken into account.
Température de l’eau
23 - 27 °C
Valeur du pH
8 - 9
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Fond et milieu
Taille adulte
35 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 600 L
Groupe minimal
>= 6
GH
12 - 20 dGH
KH
6 - 10 dKH
TDS
240 - 400 ppm
Conductivité
375 - 625 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Taxonomy and Morphology: The accepted scientific name is Cyphotilapia frontosa; the verified classification records genus Cyphotilapia, family Cichlidae, subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae, order Cichliformes. Historical names remain searchable as synonyms rather than separate species.
Social Behavior: Frontosa Cichlid requires a stable harem with no excess of males. The minimum reference is 6 individuals; sex, maturity and available space can require a more conservative composition. Observe access to food, resting behaviour, chasing and use of shelter. Isolation, persistent competition or aggression means the number, composition or environment needs to be corrected.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Colour and shape can vary with age, sex, physiological state and environmental conditions. Identification and sexing require recognized species-level characters; one appearance or photograph is not enough.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Frontosa Cichlid needs an aquarium of at least 600 litres, sized for adult body size and a minimum group of 6 individuals. Filtration, shelter and swimming room must match the species and the actual number kept. Volume alone does not make an enclosure suitable: tank shape and length, usable area, oxygenation and the ability to separate territories must reflect adult behaviour.
Diet and Feeding: The recorded diet is omnivorous. Offer appropriately sized foods varied within that category, and adjust quantity and frequency from actual intake, body condition and leftovers. One food or a fixed schedule is not suitable for every age and situation.
Water Quality: Maintain stable, well-oxygenated water appropriate to a freshwater species; the card's reference values are 23–27 °C, pH 8–9. Verify conditions with reliable tests and size maintenance and filtration to the actual load. Ranges are not automatic thresholds for treatment or rapid chemical correction.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: The cohabitation profile is best kept in a species-focused setup, with a generally semi-aggressive temperament. Keep at least 6 individuals; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
Aquarium Breeding: The recorded reproductive profile is “oviparity”. Breeding should be attempted only with healthy adults, separation capacity and a plan for eggs or young. Do not treat unverified triggers, sex ratios or hatch times as universal for this species.
Risks and Diseases: Prevent problems through quarantine of new arrivals, stable water, appropriate feeding and daily observation. Similar signs can have different causes, so check parameters, history and diagnosis before medication. Follow the product label and qualified aquatic-veterinary advice; there is no universal reduced dose for a species or family.
Origine et répartition géographiques
A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Origine
Afrique et Madagascar
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- Frontosa Cichlid has a generally semi-aggressive temperament. Insufficient space, an unsuitable social ratio or incompatible tankmates can substantially change observed behaviour.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- In the wild, they are piscivores that ambush sleeping fish at dawn and dusk. In the aquarium, they should be fed a high-quality, protein-rich diet consisting of large sinking cichlid pellets, krill, pieces of white fish, and earthworms. Avoid feeding them live feeder fish due to the risk of introducing diseases.
- Espérance de vie
- 15-25 years
- Taille adulte
- 35 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Harem
- Frontosa Cichlid requires a stable harem with no excess of males. The reference minimum is 6 individuals and must not be read as permission to overcrowd the aquarium.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Adults have a relatively slow metabolism and only need to be fed once a day or even every other day. Juveniles require more frequent feedings, about twice a day, to support their growth. Overfeeding adults can lead to obesity and poor water quality, so portion control is important.
- Charge biologique
- High
- The Frontosa Cichlid grows to an enormous size and consequently produces a very heavy bioload. Massive biological filtration and a highly efficient mechanical filtration system are absolutely necessary for a group of adults. Very large, regular water changes are required to keep nitrate levels low and maintain the hard, alkaline water of Lake Tanganyika.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- They originate from deep, calm waters in Lake Tanganyika and prefer slow to moderate water flow in the aquarium. Strong currents will force these large, slow-moving fish to expend unnecessary energy and cause them stress. A gentle turnover rate that still provides adequate surface agitation for oxygenation is ideal.
- Risque de saut
- No
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- They are maternal mouthbrooders, but breeding can be slow as females take years to reach sexual maturity. Spawning occurs stealthily on the substrate, after which the female scoops the large eggs into her mouth. The incubation period is long, lasting up to 4-5 weeks, yielding a small number of very large fry.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Species only
- The cohabitation profile is best kept in a species-focused setup, with a generally semi-aggressive temperament. Keep at least 6 individuals; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Middle/Bottom
- These large cichlids tend to occupy the middle and lower levels of the aquarium. They appreciate large, open caves and overhangs built from smooth rocks where they can retreat and feel secure. They are not highly active swimmers and often spend time hovering majestically near the bottom.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 2,9 ± 0,41 se
- Résilience
- Moyenne (1,4 - 4,4 ans)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.75
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01445, b = 2.99
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (23 / 100)
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