Jumbo Yellow Head Sardine Cichlid (Cyprichromis leptosoma) CareSheet

The Jumbo Yellow Head Sardine Cichlid (Cyprichromis leptosoma) is a fast-moving cichlid endemic to Africa's Lake Tanganyika. Open water habitats in the middle and higher layers of the water column are home to this species. It congregates in shoals and is unusually docile for a cichlid, despite the fact that each group has a defined hierarchy. When spawning, males establish an 18-inch region in which they invite females who are mouthbrooders. Males gain a bright blue and yellow colour as they mature, whilst females are considerably less colorful. With its constant swimming and activity, this "dither" fish encourages more cautious fish to come out and about. Compare with Jumbo Blue Kitumba Specklebackspecies.

The Jumbo Yellow Head Sardine Cichlid will flourish in an aquarium with lots of open swimming room and rockwork. For a Tanganyikan cichlid, this species is not aggressive, yet males will vigorously defend territory from rival males. It like to be maintained in groups of at least 6-8 specimens since it is quite gregarious. During spawning, territoriality is usually at its height. The Jumbo Yellow Head Sardine Cichlid should not be maintained with dwarf shrimp or other tiny, fragile invertebrates, but many other Tanganyikan cichlids make ideal tankmates. If spawning is desired, other species should be kept to a minimum or avoided entirely unless the aquarium is large enough with enough of cover and decoration. Although this is a benign species, adult males will occupy and defend particular territories against other males.

The unfussy Jumbo Yellow Head Sardine Cichlid is easy to feed. Dry, frozen, and live meaty items of high quality will all be welcomed. This species should not be fed dry items entirely since quality and diversity are the keys to a diet that will guarantee that it maintains maximum health and color. For maximum health and coloration, a mix of high-quality dry, frozen, and live meaty diets is required.

Requirements for keeping Cyprichromis leptosoma

Temperature: 75° - 81° F
pH: 7.8 - 9.0
KH: 10 - 25 KH
Minimum tank size: 55 gallons for a group
Origin: Indigenous to Lake Tanganyika, Africa
Average adult size: 5 inches

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