Black Widow Frontosa - Cyphotilapia sp. - Juvenile

Cyphotilapia frontosa, the closely related Cyphotilapia gibberosa and their variants are some of the most popular and largest of the Tanganyikan cichlids. They can grow up to a foot in length and are best kept in groups so a large tank is required into adulthood. They hunt smaller fish at night and should not be kept with very small fish; they are best kept in a species-only tank with others of their own kind (including their own regional variant to avoid crossbreeding).

Cichlids from Lake Tanganyika can be divided into several main varieties. Some of the most popular are the shell-dwellers and torpedo-like bottom-dwellers from the genera Lamprologus, Neolamprologus, Altolamprologus and Julidochromis. These fish are very similar and the sceintific classification of some, especially the Neo/Alto/Lamprologus cichlids, have been reclassified often in recent years. Cichlids from the Cyprichromis and Paracyprichromis genera are open-water sardine-like fish usually found in schools in their native lake. Tropheus cichlids and the “Frontosa's” from genus Cyphotilapia are popular large cichlids that seem beastly in comparison to the tiny “Lamps” and “Julies”. Other types of Tanganyikan cichlids include goby-like bottom-dwellers and fish known to sift through mouthfuls of substrate. Many regional variants exist in these groups.

The water chemistry in the African rift lakes is notoriously unique. Lake Tanganyika is particularly hard with a very high pH, although many fish that have been captive-bred may be acclimated to more moderate conditions similar to those in Lake Victoria or Lake Malawi. As many Tanganyikan cichlids are sensitive to water quality and changes in water quality, make sure conditions are stable.

Décor for a Tanganyikan aquarium should provide rockwork for the cichlids to hide in and around and can be created using tufa rock or lava rock. As most species sift through the substrate, open areas should also be provided. Tanks housing open-water or larger species should be more sparsely decorated. The substrate for these aquariums should be fine and smooth-edged; whitish coral sand or black buffered substrate is popular. Wood tends to lower pH and is not usually recommended for African cichlid aquariums.

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