All fish / Cichlidae

Cyprichromis leptosoma

Cyprichromis leptosoma

Also known as cyprichromis, cypri, leptosoma, cyprichromis leptosoma utinta, cyprichromis leptosoma kitumba, cyprichromis leptosoma mpimbwe, cyprichromis leptosoma jumbo, sardine cichlid, herring cichlid, キプリクロミス・レプトソーマ, 小丑鲷, 坦鲷

This is a slim, open-water cichlid from Lake Tanganyika that lives in large shoals close to rocky shores. Males show blue bodies with yellow or blue tails depending on the local form, while females are plainer. Keepers value it as a peaceful dither fish that brings constant movement and colour to the middle levels of a Tanganyikan tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Group of 10 or more, with more females than males

Diet

Carnivore: small zooplankton such as frozen mysis, cyclops, brine shrimp and quality small pellets or flakes

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika (Burundi, Tanzania, DR Congo, Zambia)

Breeding

It is a maternal mouthbrooder that spawns in open water, with the female catching the eggs in mid-water and holding the young for around three weeks. Breeding is fairly easy in a large, settled group, though stressed females may spit their brood early.

Good to know

It is nervous and needs a long tank with swimming room and calm tankmates; avoid robust Mbuna or large predators. Do not mix different local forms, as they can hybridise.