Frontosa

Frontosa or Humphead is a variety of Cichlid, also called the front cichlid. It is an east African species of fish endemic to Lake Tanganyika.

The Frontosa Cichlid grows relatively large (up to about 30cm) and can live for 15 years in captivity.

It is important to provide them give them plenty of space. We recommend a tank of at least 300 litres for a single mature Frontosa. However it is better to keep them in groups of 4 fish.

Frequent water changes are needed and a powerful canister filter or sump filter should be used because cichlid are sensitive to water purity and parameters. Water changes should not be abrupt so it is best to do small but frequent changes.

This type of Cichlid has a reasonably passive temperament and can be kept as an individual show fish or with other Frontosa.

The cranial hump develops on the fish forehead once the fish is more then 10 cm long. The Frontosa Burundi Cichlid male has a larger hump then the female. With aging the forehead bump becomes larger and it also indicates fish age and strength.  The older the fish is, the darker is its coloring and the longer its fins are. The mature frontosa male dorsal and pectoral fin have kind of stings at their ends whereas the female fins are relatively short.

The Frontosa Cichlid is a mouthbrooder and is very protective of the its offspring.

Diet:

Brine Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp, Blackworms, Carnivore Pellet, Earthworms, Insects but DO NOT FEED it bloodworm.  Bloodworm can cause the Frontosa bowel to become inflated causing motion issues and the fish could float to the surface. Frontosa also tend to overfeed so it is a good idea to leave them without food for one day a week.

Compatibility:

Frontosa are usually compatible with other African Rift Valley Cichlids (Mbuna, Haplochromis, and Peacock), and Synodontis.