Care and Compatibility of Frontosa Cichlid - Cyphotilapia frontosa

Introduction

Cyphotilapia frontosa is known for its robust body and prominent head, giving it a majestic appearance. These fish are highly prized in the aquarium hobby due to their attractiveness and uniqueness. Their coloration may vary, but they typically have a dark blue or black body with vertical white or silvery stripes.

Behavior

Frontosas are generally peaceful and calm fish, but they can become territorially aggressive during breeding or when they feel threatened. They are slow swimmers and often spend most of their time near the bottom of the aquarium. They are known for their social behavior and the formation of hierarchies within the group.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Cyphotilapia frontosa is evident. Males are typically larger and have a more pronounced hump on the forehead than females. Additionally, males may develop more intense coloration and a larger hump as they mature.

Reproduction

Breeding Cyphotilapia frontosa in captivity can be challenging due to their specific requirements and territorial behavior during spawning. To encourage breeding, it is important to provide them with a suitable environment with hiding places and spawning areas. The female deposits the eggs on a flat surface, and the male fertilizes them. Both parents care for and protect the eggs and fry.

Aquarium Conditions

Cyphotilapia frontosa is a majestic and striking African cichlid that requires a spacious aquarium with rocky décor resembling its natural habitat. They prefer clean, well-oxygenated water, so efficient filtration is essential. Providing them with ample space and shelters to avoid stress is important.

Feeding

In their natural habitat, Cyphotilapia frontosa primarily feed on aquatic invertebrates and small fish. In the aquarium, they can be fed a varied diet that includes high-quality commercial foods in the form of pellets or flakes, as well as live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and mosquito larvae.

Complexity

Caring for Cyphotilapia frontosa can be challenging due to their specific needs and potentially large size. They are territorial fish that can be aggressive towards other fish, so it's important to select appropriate tank mates. They require a varied diet and good water quality.

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To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Cyphotilapia frontosa (Frontosa Cichlid) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the Frontosa Cichlid with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 21 species compatible with the Cyphotilapia frontosa (Frontosa Cichlid) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.

Compatible species (21)

Compatible (2 Species)

Compatible without any restriction

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

Similar Sizes (1 Species)

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.

Commando Cichlid

Nimbochromis venustus

With Reservation (5 Species)

Compatible in some cases, it depends on the nature and personality of the fish.

Horned Snail

Tyloperlamania sp

IndoPlanorbis Exustus

Planorbis planorbis

Dragon Violet Goby

Gobioides broussonnetii

Pez Loro

Red Parrot

Oscar Fish

Astronotus ocellatus

Showdown over territory (3 Species)

Fish can live together as long as the space is spacious enough to delimit a territory, otherwise there may be aggressions for competing for the territory.

Flag Cichlid

Mesonauta festivus

Red-tailed Black Shark

Epalzeorhynchus frenatus

Necesitan al menos 2 ó 3 hembras por macho, pueden ser territoriales entre ellos mismos.

Frontosa Cichlid

Cyphotilapia frontosa

Considerable size difference (3 Species)

They can coexist while they are similar in size or the size difference is not very abysmal, since as the fish grows it increases the chances of eating its partner that did not grow much.

Nerite Snail

Neritina sp

Nile Tilapia

Oreochromis niloticus

Neon Spot fish

Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere

Compatible if space is enough (7 Species)

They can coexist together if the aquarium they share is large and spacious enough for both species to feel good, as some fish may attack others to feel that they have little space and try to eliminate the competition.