Frontosa Cichlid

Looks how to spot one

Deep-bodied large cichlid with nuchal hump

A big, stately cichlid with a white or bluish body crossed by bold dark bars and long, blue-tinged fins. Adults grow a rounded hump on the forehead, most noticeable in mature males.32

Personality what they are like

A calm, gregarious fish that moves deliberately. It is a predator, so very small tank mates may be eaten, but it gets along with suitably sized Tanganyikan companions.2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Not hyperactive; needs plenty of open swimming space as well as sheltered caves and dark refuges.23

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Needs stable, hard and alkaline water kept very clean.2

Home where they are happiest

Very large tank: at least 240 x 60 x 60 cm (about 860 litres), with rock caves and open sand. Temperature roughly 23 to 27 C (some sources up to 30 C), pH 8.0 to 9.0, hardness 8 to 25 dGH.213

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Wild fish eat small fish, snails, mussels and other invertebrates. In the aquarium give good prepared foods plus frozen items such as Artemia, mosquito larvae and shrimp; skip mammal meat and live feeder fish.12

Company who they like around

Keep in groups of about 5 to 10 or more; one male usually spawns with several females.21

The story where it all began

Described by Boulenger in 1906, the frontosa was the only member of its genus until a southern relative, C. gibberosa, was split off in 2003. Different wild populations are traded under their locality names to keep the lines distinct.2

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Near Threatened (as listed on FishBase, March 2025)1

Taxonomy

Described by Boulenger in 1906; genus was monotypic until C. gibberosa was described in 20032