Cichlid
Care basics
Frontosa are big, blue and white banded cichlids with a heavy forehead hump. They move slowly and calmly, and a colony in a large tank is one of the most impressive displays in the hobby.
They need stable, hard, alkaline water and strong filtration. Feed early in the day or at lights out, and give them large caves and open water.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Cyphotilapia frontosa |
|---|---|
| Group | Lake Tanganyika |
| Native to | Lake Tanganyika, East Africa |
| Adult size | Up to about 12 to 14 inches, slow growing |
| Tank size | 125 gallons or more for a group, with a 6 foot tank preferred |
| Temperature | 75 to 80 F |
| pH | 7.8 to 9.0, hard water |
| Temperament | Fairly peaceful for its size but will eat any fish small enough to swallow. Best kept in a group with one male and several females. |
Sizes and ranges are typical hobby figures. Individual fish and local water vary, so test your water and ask your fish store about the specific fish you buy.
