TankBud

Sardine cichlid

Cyprichromis leptosoma

Also known as Utinta

FreshwaterFish

Sardine cichlid (Cyprichromis leptosoma)
regani · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.8–9.0
Adult size
4.3 in
11 cm
Minimum tank
63 gal
240 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Tanganyika

Overview

The sardine cichlid is a peaceful schooling fish for a large Tanganyika tank with plenty of swimming space. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

Male sardine cichlids display their bright colors while hanging in open water, not over a defended patch of bottom. That is rare for cichlids. They spawn up in the water column too, and the female scoops up the eggs to brood before they ever settle.

Caring for the sardine cichlid

Keep sardine cichlids in a decent group, which helps them feel secure and show their colors. Give them at least 63 gal (240 L) in a tall, long tank with real vertical and horizontal swimming room. Some rockwork at the edges is fine, but keep most of the tank open. They hold the middle and upper water.

Match the lake's hard, alkaline water, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.8 to 9.0. Wild fish eat plankton, so feed small foods. Offer micro pellets and quality flake, with live or frozen brine shrimp and daphnia.

Sardine cichlids are peaceful and do well with other non-aggressive Tanganyikans that live in open water. Males grow a bit larger than females. Females are maternal mouthbrooders and hold the eggs and fry in their mouths for several weeks. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

The sardine cichlid, Cyprichromis leptosoma, belongs to the family Cichlidae and is also known as Utinta. Its slim, streamlined body is built for life in open water. It is one of the few truly pelagic, mid-water cichlids. Wild populations are currently considered stable.

In the wild

Sardine cichlids live in the open water of Lake Tanganyika, not down among the rocks like most of the lake's cichlids. They school in the mid-water zone, often at depths of ten meters or more, in clear, mineral-rich water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The sardine cichlid is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a sardine cichlid need?

A sardine cichlid needs at least 63 gal (240 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a sardine cichlid need?

A sardine cichlid is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.

What does a sardine cichlid eat?

A sardine cichlid eats small foods such as micro pellets, quality flake, and live or frozen brine shrimp and daphnia. In the wild it feeds on plankton.

How big does a sardine cichlid get?

An adult sardine cichlid reaches about 4.3 in (11 cm).

Does a sardine cichlid need a group?

Yes. A sardine cichlid is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How can you tell a male sardine cichlid from a female?

Males grow a bit larger than females.

How does a sardine cichlid breed?

A sardine cichlid female is a maternal mouthbrooder and holds the eggs and fry in her mouth for several weeks. Breeding sardine cichlids is of medium difficulty.

Related species