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Altifrons cichlid

Cribroheros altifrons

Also known as Amphilophus altifrons, Highbrow sifter cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Altifrons cichlid (Cribroheros altifrons)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–84°F
24–29°C
pH
7.0–8.2
Adult size
6.3 in
16 cm
Minimum tank
79 gal
300 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Pacific slope, Costa Rica and Panama

Overview

The Altifrons cichlid is a gentle, sand-sifting cichlid for the bottom of a large tank. It is a moderate challenge, best taken on with some experience.

Did you know

The Altifrons cichlid fills the eartheater's role in Central America, which has no true eartheaters. It sifts sand with its head down, just like the South American Geophagus. Two unrelated cichlid lineages arrived at the same feeding trick.

Caring for the Altifrons cichlid

Give the Altifrons cichlid a tank of at least 79 gal (300 L). It needs a deep, soft sand bed so it can sift naturally. Add smooth stones and driftwood for structure, and keep the flow gentle.

Keep the water neutral to hard and slightly alkaline, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.2. It spends its day at the bottom, taking mouthfuls of sand and chewing out the edible bits. Feed sinking pellets, wafers and frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp, and let plenty reach the floor.

It is mild-mannered for its size, but it is still a large cichlid that pairs off rather than shoaling. Keep it singly or as a pair. It generally leaves tank mates alone, though it becomes protective when spawning. Pick sturdy, calm companions with some caution, and avoid tiny fish that could be pushed off the food.

It is a substrate spawner that forms pairs and guards its eggs and fry. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Good to know

The Altifrons cichlid is a member of the family Cichlidae. Its genus name, Cribroheros, comes from the Latin for a sieve, for the way it sifts sand for food. It was long sold under the name Amphilophus altifrons.

In the wild

The Altifrons cichlid lives on the Pacific slope of Costa Rica and Panama. It is found in clear rivers and streams from the Terraba and Coto drainages to the Chiriqui system. The bottoms there are sandy and stony, with slow to moderate current.

Common questions

What size tank does an Altifrons cichlid need?

An Altifrons cichlid needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an Altifrons cichlid need?

An Altifrons cichlid is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.

What does an Altifrons cichlid eat?

An Altifrons cichlid takes mouthfuls of sand and chews out the edible bits. Feed it sinking pellets, wafers and frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp, and let plenty reach the floor.

How big does an Altifrons cichlid get?

An adult Altifrons cichlid reaches about 6.3 in (16 cm).

How does an Altifrons cichlid breed?

An Altifrons cichlid is a substrate spawner that forms pairs and guards its eggs and fry. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Related species