Do Frontosa need caves?

Lighting is of some concern for Frontosa keepers because these fish are deepwater specialists that are typically found 30-50m below the surface. Not only should they have large caves and overhangs to retreat to but they should also be kept under subdued lighting, which encourages them to remain in the open.

Do cichlids like caves?

Many species of cichlids like to hide in caves formed by rocks, especially Mbuna African cichlids. Many species also use rocks when they’re breeding. Angelfish, discus, severums and a whole lot more like to lay their eggs either in a cave or on a flat rock.

Do Frontosa need to be in groups?

The Frontosa Cichlid is active and will swim in all areas of the aquarium. A minimum 70 gallon tank can house a single specimen, but these fish are gregarious and will really do best kept in groups of at least 4 individuals, with 8 to 12 being ideal.

How long does it take for a Frontosa cichlid to reach full size?

However, 55 Gallon tanks is way to small. Frontosa are big fish, and they like to live together in groups. This is not going to happen with Frontosa, they grow very slowly and it can take them more than 3-years to reach sexual maturity.

What kind of rocks do cichlids like?

The African cichlid aquarium should have plenty of rockwork, caves and other hiding places to create needed territories. Limestone and dolomite rock will help maintain proper water chemistry, but virtually any rock or artificial décor is suitable. Rinse all decorations before placing them in your aquarium.

Can you put live rock in a cichlid tank?

While live rock creates territories for your cichlids to rule, it also can raise the Ph and the hardness of the fish tank’s water. This can be beneficial for African cichlid species coming from the lake Mbuna, Victoria, or Tanganyika.

How do you make a fish cave?

For each one, turn a pot on its side, bury the pot partly into the gravel or sand and add pieces of slate and stone to make a rock façade in front of the pot. You can also make a cave out of pebbles. Boil the pebbles to get rid of any chemicals and use aquarium-safe silicone to glue the rocks together to form a cave.

How do you make a fish hideout?

How to provide hiding places for your aquarium fish

Aquarium Plants. Adding hardy, fine-leaved plants to your aquarium can provide a great refuge for many fish as well as being visually appealing.
Aquarium Rocks.
Aquarium Ornaments.
Driftwood.
Terra Cotta Pots & PVC Piping.

What fish can be kept with frontosa?

The best tank mates for Frontosas are other peaceful African cichlids from Lake Tanganyika. This is mostly because these fish enjoy the same water conditions. Other fish like Malawi cichlids can also make great tank mates though. These fish are piscivorous, which means they feed on smaller fish species in nature.

How long does it take for a frontosa cichlid to reach full size?

What kind of fish is the frontosa cichlid?

Frontosa Cichlid is also known by its scientific name Cyphotilapia Frontosa, which also can be found with the name Frontosa Burundi. This amazing fish is native to Lake Tanganyika. It is a semi-aggressive fish, but quite calm and not very active swimmer.

Where can I find a blue Zaire frontosa cichlid?

Blue Zaire Frontosa has a stunning look. Frontosa Cichlid is an endemic fish that can only be found in Lake Tanganyika. There are various types of this fish distributed all over the lake. This fish lives in the deep waters of this lake, up to 60m deep hiding in caves, but the commonly Frontosa that we know lives shallow up to 5m.

Where do frontosa fish live in Lake Tanganyika?

Unlike other cichlid fish which like living in covers and rocks frontosa fish prefers to live in a big colonies along the sandy coasts of the lake. The fish inhabits almost trough all Lake Tanganyika but they always prefer depth about 10-50 meters, which is rather deep in the water.

How big of a tank do you need for a Frontosa cichlid?

Frontosa Cichlid is quite a difficult cichlid to breed. It is best to keep 6 to 8 fish in order to pair naturally. The ideal group at the breeding period would be one male with several females. They are best kept in a 150 gallons tank, and 200 gallons or larger tank would be great for the long term.