Frontosa cichlid

Cyphotilapia frontosa

Also known as Humphead Cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Frontosa cichlid (Cyphotilapia frontosa) — Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–81°F; 23–27°C
pH: 7.8–9.0
Adult size: 12.6 in; 32 cm
Minimum tank: 227 gal; 860 L

Temperament: Aggressive
Social behavior: Shoaling
Tankmates: With caution
Swim level: Middle
Diet: Carnivore
Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding: Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity: Rare
Family: Cichlidae
Origin: Lake Tanganyika

Overview

The frontosa cichlid is a big colony cichlid that swims in the middle of the tank. It is for experienced keepers.

Did you know

Frontosa are long-lived for an aquarium fish and can pass 20 years with good care. Buying one is closer to a two-decade commitment than a casual purchase. Breeders often track individual fish and bloodlines for color and hump quality over many years.

Caring for the frontosa cichlid

Plan for a very large tank for a frontosa colony, at least 227 gal (860 L). Give them lots of rock and cave structure. They are big, slow fish, so swimming room matters as much as the rockwork. They sit in the middle and lower water.

Hard, alkaline water is essential, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.8 to 9.0. Keep the temperature steady. Feed quality cichlid pellets plus frozen shrimp or krill, and avoid feeder fish.

Frontosa are colony fish, calmer than many big cichlids but still capable of aggression. Keep at least five together. In the wild they are predators that ambush smaller fish, so do not house them with anything small enough to swallow. The frontosa is a maternal mouthbrooder and a slow grower, and breeding it is on the difficult end.

Good to know

The frontosa cichlid is a large cichlid in the family Cichlidae. Adults develop the well-known nuchal hump on the forehead, which grows more pronounced with age. Its conservation status is reasonably stable, though it faces pressure from collection and habitat change.

In the wild

Frontosa live in the deep, rocky zones of Lake Tanganyika, often between 20 and 50 meters down. The water there is clear, hard and very alkaline.

From published sources

Tank mates

Each fish here is named as a tank mate for the frontosa cichlid by at least two published care guides. Keep frontosa in a group in a tank of at least 180 gallons (680 liters), and add tank mates too large to be eaten.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Fishkeeper (Maidenhead Aquatics), Aquatic Arts, Fishkeeping World.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a frontosa cichlid need?

A frontosa cichlid needs at least 227 gal (860 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a frontosa cichlid need?

A frontosa cichlid is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.

What does a frontosa cichlid eat?

A frontosa cichlid eats quality cichlid pellets plus frozen shrimp or krill, but not feeder fish. In the wild it is a predator that ambushes smaller fish.

How big does a frontosa cichlid get?

An adult frontosa cichlid reaches about 12.6 in (32 cm).

Does a frontosa cichlid need a group?

Yes. A frontosa cichlid is a shoaling species; keep at least 5 together.

How does a frontosa cichlid breed?

The frontosa cichlid is a maternal mouthbrooder and a slow grower. Breeding it is on the difficult end.

What fish can live with the frontosa cichlid?

Published care guides name featherfin cichlid, Nasuta featherfin and cuckoo squeaker. Keep frontosa in a group in a tank of at least 180 gallons (680 liters), and add tank mates too large to be eaten.