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Frontosa Cichlid
Cyphotilapia frontosa
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cichlidae
📍 Lake Tanganyika, Africa
The frontosa is a majestic Lake Tanganyika cichlid with a distinctive nuchal hump and striking black-and-white vertical banding. It is a slow-moving predator that is surprisingly peaceful for its size in large colonies. A showpiece fish for large Tanganyika setups.
Care Guide
Diet
Frontosa are carnivorous and require high-protein foods including quality cichlid pellets, krill, mysis shrimp, and whole fish such as silversides or smelt. Feed adults once daily, adjusting portions so food is consumed within 2-3 minutes. Juveniles benefit from more frequent feeding (once daily) to support growth.
Behavior
Frontosa are slow, deliberate hunters that spend much time cruising mid-water levels and along rocky structures. They are surprisingly peaceful in established colonies of similar-sized individuals but are highly predatory toward small fish and will consume anything that fits in their large mouths. They are nocturnal feeders and may hide during bright daylight hours.
Breeding
Breeding Frontosa in captivity is difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums. They are maternal mouthbrooders requiring very large tanks (200+ gallons), stable water conditions, and a harem setup with multiple females per male. Fry are large and demand frequent feeding of live foods like brine shrimp and microworms.
Tank Mates
Lake Tanganyika endemic with similar water requirements; keep separate feeding zones to avoid competition
Smaller cichlid; only compatible with adult Frontosa in very large tanks; risk of predation
Nocturnal catfish from Lake Tanganyika; occupies different niche and compatible water parameters
Peaceful bottom-dweller that helps control algae without competing for food or space
Algae grazer that poses no threat and benefits the tank ecosystem
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, flashing against rocks, labored breathing, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or ich-specific medication; treat for 10-14 days
Hole-in-the-Head (Hexamita)
Erosion of head and lateral line, loss of appetite, white stringy feces, behavioral changes
Improve water quality with frequent changes, reduce feeding temporarily, use metronidazole-based medication; ensure adequate nutrition with varied diet
Bacterial Infections
Fin rot, body sores, cloudy eyes, swollen abdomen, color loss
Perform 50% water change immediately, maintain pristine water quality, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication; isolate if possible
Parasitic Infections
Excessive mucus coating, scratching on rocks, weight loss despite feeding, gill flaring
Use antiparasitic medication (fenbendazole or praziquantel), perform daily water changes, quarantine affected fish; treat for 7-10 days
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Carnivore – cichlid pellets, krill, mysis shrimp, whole fish
- lifespan
- 15–25 years
- max size
- 35 cm (14 in)
- tank size
- 125 gallons minimum for a colony
- temperament
- Peaceful in colonies; predatory toward small fish
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.8–9.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 12–25 dGH
- temperature
- 75–81°F (24–27°C)