Identity and search names

Common name
Frontosa cichlid
Scientific name
Cyphotilapia frontosa
Other names
Frontosa
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
African Rift Lake cichlids
Origin
Northern Lake Tanganyika; southern blue-front populations belong primarily to Cyphotilapia gibberosa
Review outcome
PASSED

Environment and housing

Environment
Freshwater
Care level
Advanced or specialist
Adult size
Up to about 33 cm total length, with males generally larger and heavier
Expected lifespan
Commonly 15–25 years
Minimum housing
At least 1,000 L with a 200 cm-plus length and substantial depth for a planned adult group
Temperature
24–27 °C
pH
8.0–9.0
Hardness or minerals
Hard, alkaline and mineral-stable; maintain high oxygenation
Salinity
Freshwater
Lighting
Subdued to normal lighting with shaded deep refuges
Social structure
Keep one male with several females or a carefully structured juvenile group that can be sexed and reduced before maturity
Placement or swimming zone
Bottom and lower-middle water
Temperament
Generally deliberate but socially dominant; adults can injure subordinates in inadequate space
Compatibility
Use only robust Tanganyika species that will not harass or hybridise with the group; small fish may be eaten
Habitat structure
Deep, dim, highly oxygenated Tanganyika aquarium with sand, smooth stable rock refuges and large unobstructed turning space

Feeding and nutrition

Diet
Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and measured high-quality carnivore cichlid foods
Feeding frequency
Feed modest portions once daily or split into two small meals; avoid floating food that encourages air intake and overfeeding

Breeding and reproduction

Breeding or reproduction
Maternal mouthbrooder producing relatively small clutches; females incubate eggs and fry for several weeks
Parental care
Female oral incubation; the group needs quiet refuge and protection from persistent male pressure

System demands

Filtration
Use mature biological filtration sized for the full adult group and feeding load, with intake protection where juveniles, long fins or small fish are present. Provide steady turnover without preventing normal swimming or resting.
Aeration
Maintain strong surface gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen. Increase aeration during warm weather, medication, transport recovery, breeding crowding or any ammonia or nitrite event.
Maintenance
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, remove waste from feeding and shelter zones, and perform regular temperature- and chemistry-matched water changes before nitrate or dissolved organics accumulate.

Detailed husbandry

Identity scope
This profile applies to Cyphotilapia frontosa. Confirm trade identity and preserve breeder, supplier or locality records where relevant.
Adult size and space
Up to about 33 cm total length, with males generally larger and heavier. At least 1,000 L with a 200 cm-plus length and substantial depth for a planned adult group. Plan around adult dimensions, activity, group size, aggression and waste production rather than sale size.
Social structure
Keep one male with several females or a carefully structured juvenile group that can be sexed and reduced before maturity
Placement or swimming zone
Primary zone: Bottom and lower-middle water. Keep that zone usable for movement, feeding and refuge.
Feeding ecology
Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and measured high-quality carnivore cichlid foods
Feeding plan
Feed modest portions once daily or split into two small meals; avoid floating food that encourages air intake and overfeeding
Water stability
Maintain 24–27 °C; pH 8.0–9.0; hardness/minerals: Hard, alkaline and mineral-stable; maintain high oxygenation. Stable oxygenation and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact number.
Adult projected load
Plan capacity for Keep one male with several females or a carefully structured juvenile group that can be sexed and reduced before maturity at the documented adult size (Up to about 33 cm total length, with males generally larger and heavier) in At least 1,000 L with a 200 cm-plus length and substantial depth for a planned adult group. Include feeding intensity, territorial behaviour and breeding growth rather than counting sale-size juveniles.
Filtration
Use mature biological filtration sized for the full adult group and feeding load, with intake protection where juveniles, long fins or small fish are present. Provide steady turnover without preventing normal swimming or resting.
Aeration
Maintain strong surface gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen. Increase aeration during warm weather, medication, transport recovery, breeding crowding or any ammonia or nitrite event.
Maintenance
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, remove waste from feeding and shelter zones, and perform regular temperature- and chemistry-matched water changes before nitrate or dissolved organics accumulate.
Habitat structure
Deep, dim, highly oxygenated Tanganyika aquarium with sand, smooth stable rock refuges and large unobstructed turning space
Compatibility plan
Use only robust Tanganyika species that will not harass or hybridise with the group; small fish may be eaten
Breeding plan
Maternal mouthbrooder producing relatively small clutches; females incubate eggs and fry for several weeks. Parental care: Female oral incubation; the group needs quiet refuge and protection from persistent male pressure.
Quarantine
Quarantine new fish in a separate cycled aquarium with dedicated equipment. Match temperature and mineral chemistry gradually, confirm feeding and normal respiration, and never add transport water to the established aquarium.
Welfare checks
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. Many southern “frontosa” trade fish are C. gibberosa. Preserve locality and species records, and do not buy juveniles without accepting the eventual 1,000 L-class group requirement.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.
Main risk
Many southern “frontosa” trade fish are C. gibberosa. Preserve locality and species records, and do not buy juveniles without accepting the eventual 1,000 L-class group requirement.
Overridable warnings
Many southern “frontosa” trade fish are C. gibberosa. Preserve locality and species records, and do not buy juveniles without accepting the eventual 1,000 L-class group requirement. Any override must still preserve adult space, social welfare, stable chemistry, oxygen and filter capacity.

Welfare and risk

Welfare checks
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. Many southern “frontosa” trade fish are C. gibberosa. Preserve locality and species records, and do not buy juveniles without accepting the eventual 1,000 L-class group requirement.
Main warning
Many southern “frontosa” trade fish are C. gibberosa. Preserve locality and species records, and do not buy juveniles without accepting the eventual 1,000 L-class group requirement.
Biosecurity
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.

Sources

Source note

Current identity or scope, husbandry, system-demand, welfare and Australian biosecurity evidence checked; active retired-source links removed; all AquaNexus wording is original.

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