Frontosa size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 30 cm. The largest on record measured 33 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 189 Cichlidae species on LumaReef: 3 cm (Viejita Dwarf Cichlid) to 80 cm (Giant Tanganyika Cichlid).

Frontosa tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 240 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Showcase tank or larger.

Frontosa water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 24–28 °C, pH 7.8–9.0, hardness 10–25 °dGH. Close to what most Cichlidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).

Frontosa tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 52 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bristlenose pleco, Sailfin molly, and Boesemani rainbowfish.

Frontosa: is it endangered?

The IUCN Red List rates it Near Threatened. Threatened among the 172 assessed Cichlidae species on LumaReef: 15.

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Frontosa

Cyphotilapia frontosa

Heavy, stately and slow; it does not fight, but it swallows small neighbors.

The Frontosa (Cyphotilapia frontosa) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 30 cm; the largest on record measured 33 cm (total length). The IUCN Red List rates it Near Threatened. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 240 cm long and water at 24–28 °C.

Size: 30 cm
Smallest tank: 240 cm
Temperature: 24–28 °C
Care: Demanding

In the aquarium

Temperature24–28 °C

pH7.8–9.0

Hardness10–25 °dGH

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Calm
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 5 or more
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litresToo small
Living room180 cm · 650 litresToo small
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres24 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres28 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along52 species

and 28 more species

Caution40 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together7 species

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Largest on record: 33 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCichliformes
FamilyCichlidae
GenusCyphotilapia
SpeciesCyphotilapia frontosa
Described byBoulenger, 1906

In other languages

English: Frontosa Cichlid
German: Tanganjika-Beulenkopf
Russian: Лобастая цифотиляпия зебра

Quick answers

Frontosa size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 30 cm. The largest on record measured 33 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 189 Cichlidae species on LumaReef: 3 cm (Viejita Dwarf Cichlid) to 80 cm (Giant Tanganyika Cichlid).
Frontosa tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 240 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Showcase tank or larger.
Frontosa water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 24–28 °C, pH 7.8–9.0, hardness 10–25 °dGH. Close to what most Cichlidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).
Frontosa tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 52 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bristlenose pleco, Sailfin molly, and Boesemani rainbowfish.
Frontosa: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 5 together.
Frontosa and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.
Frontosa: is it endangered?: The IUCN Red List rates it Near Threatened. Threatened among the 172 assessed Cichlidae species on LumaReef: 15.