Edit Cyprichromis leptosoma

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Name

Scientific name

Cyprichromis leptosoma

Described by

Authority Boulenger, Year 1898, Bracketed

Family

Cichlidae

Summary

The sardine cichlid, Cyprichromis leptosoma, is a peaceful open-water cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika. In nature it congregates in shoal…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

125mm, standard length

Tank size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm, Minimum height 45 cm

Water

Temperature and pH

Temperature 24–27°C, pH 7.8–9

Hardness

10–25dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Not recorded

Where it lives

Countries

Tanzania, Zambia

Supporting text

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Endemic to Lake Tanganyika.

Habitat

It's an open water species, inhabiting the intermediate zones with scattered rocks and sandy bottoms.

Aquarium size

120 ∗ 45 ∗ 45 cm48 ∗ 18 ∗ 18 in - ~243 litres~64 US gal.

Maintenance

As it's an open water species and will generally be found in the upper levels of the tank, the amount of swimming space takes precedence over the choice of dec…

Water conditions

Temperature: 24 – 27 °C75 – 81 °F pH: 7.8-9.0 Hardness: 10-25 °H

Diet

Most foods are accepted, but live and frozen varieties should form the bulk of the diet. It has a small mouth, being a zooplankton feeder in nature. Watch clos…

Behaviour and compatibility

Very peaceful. Do not keep it with boisterous fish such as Mbuna. Good tankmates include other Tanganyikan species that inhabit different areas in the tank. Ro…

Sexual dimorphism

Males are much more colourful than females.

Reproduction

It will often spawn in the community tank, but if you want to raise a good number of fry keep it in a species setup. This should be as deep as possible and at …

It will often spawn in the community tank, but if you want to raise a good number of fry keep it in a species setup. This should be as deep as possible and at least 18" wide. A pH of 8.0-8.5 and a temperature of 24 – 25.5 °C75 – 78 °F are ideal. Buy as big a group as the tank will support, with a few females to each male. Allow around 18" x 18" x 18" for a single male territory.

Male fish form 3-dimensional breeding territories in the open water. Other species and females are allowed to pass through this territory at any time, while rival males are chased away. If a ripe female passes through he will chase and display at her. If interested she will follow him into the centre of his territory. Spawning then occurs in mid-water, with the female catching the eggs in her mouth as they are laid. The male has egg-shaped growths on the end of his ventral fins and the female is also attracted to these. When she tries to add them to the brood in her mouth she receives sperm from the male, which fertilises the eggs in her mouth.

The female carries the small brood of 5-20 eggs for up to 4 weeks before the fry are released. She will not eat during this period and can be easily spotted by her distended mouth and characteristic 'chewing' action as she moves the eggs around. If a female is overly stressed she can spit out the brood prematurely or eat them, so care must be taken if you decide to move her. It's also worth noting that if a female is away from the colony for too long she may lose her position in the pecking order of the group. Unless a brooding female is being harassed it's best to leave her where she is.

Some breeders artificially strip the fry from the mother's mouth at the 2 week stage and raise them artificially. This usually results in a larger number of fry, but is not an approach for the beginner. If they are left to be released naturally, they are spat into crevices among rocks. In nature this serves to protect the fry in two ways. Not only do the rocks provide cover, but the fry find their way into broods of other species (notably Lepidiolamprologus profundicola), and are defended by the protective mother as if they were her own.

The fry will take newly hatched brine shrimp from the day they are released. They can be left with the adult fish and will not usually be harmed.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the profileFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Notes

One of the favourite Tanganyikan cichlids among hobbyists, this species occurs in several geographical morphs. Each of these further exists in both blue and ye…

References

1 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References