Humphead cichlid
Cyphotilapia frontosa
Cichlidae
Moderate
Parameter dashboard
Temperature
23-27 °C
pH
8-9
Size
25 cm
Lifespan
15 years
Min tank400 L
Price$$$$
DietOmnivore
TemperamentPeaceful
OriginAfrica
Shrimp-safeNo
Care guide
The humphead cichlid, or frontosa, is endemic to the northern half of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, where it lives among boulders and open sand at depths of 15 to 70 metres. Adults reach about 25 cm standard length and develop a prominent nuchal hump on the forehead, more pronounced in dominant males. The body carries six or seven vertical black bands on a white to blue-grey background depending on the geographical variant. A tank of at least 400 litres is needed, decorated with a sandy substrate, large rock formations, and open swimming corridors that mimic the lake’s rocky habitat. Water must be hard and alkaline with pH 8.0 to 9.0 and temperature 24°C to 26°C; they are sensitive to poor water quality and should never be added to an immature aquarium. Frontosas are gregarious and should be kept in groups of five or more to distribute aggression and allow natural social structure to form. Males establish a dominance hierarchy without the intense fighting seen in many other cichlids. They are omnivorous but favour protein-rich foods—high-quality pellets, krill, shrimp, and chopped mussel, with some spirulina for balance. Breeding is maternal mouthbrooding: the female carries 10 to 50 very large eggs for an extraordinarily long period of 35 to 50 days, during which she does not eat. Fry emerge well-developed and can accept finely crushed prepared foods. Frontosas grow slowly and can live fifteen years or more with consistent care.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (12)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Biajaca Nandopsis tetracanthus Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Blue streak hap Labidochromis caeruleus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Fasciatus Shell Dweller Altolamprologus fasciatus Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Gold Shell Dweller Lamprologus ocellatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Mendezs Dwarf Cichlid Apistogramma mendezi Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Moga Hypsophrys nicaraguensis Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Multies Neolamprologus multifasciatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Princess of Burundi Neolamprologus brichardi Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Rio Grande cichlid Herichthys cyanoguttatus Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Umbrella cichlid Apistogramma borellii Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Yellow belly cichlid Cichlasoma salvini Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Panda Uaru Uaru fernandezyepezi Avoid | Avoid | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
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