Care guide, husbandry, breeding, disease, sourcing, and tankmate intelligence on Frontosa Cichlid - written by the Fast Aquatics editorial team and cross-verified against vendor records on the live marketplace.
Frontosa Cichlid (Cyphotilapia frontosa) is a freshwater fish kept by aquarists for community + species-specific freshwater displays. Suitable for keepers with 6-12 months of experience and stable water chemistry.
Where Frontosa Cichlid comes from
Frontosa Cichlid (Cyphotilapia frontosa) is native to specific tropical and subtropical freshwater systems. The captive-bred Frontosa Cichlid sold at most LFS comes from generations of farmed stock and is generally hardier and better-acclimated to tank conditions than wild-caught equivalents. Wild specimens are occasionally available for keepers chasing original-bloodline coloration or biotope-accurate stocking.
Frontosa Cichlid tank size and setup
Frontosa Cichlid requires a minimum of 120 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (14 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern. Most Frontosa Cichlid sold at small juvenile size will reach full adult size within 12-24 months and the system must be sized to the adult, not the juvenile.
For a Frontosa Cichlid setup: tank sized for the adult footprint, HOB or canister filter rated 4-6x tank volume, dechlorinated water, appropriate temperature heater, and stocking-appropriate hardscape and plants.
Use dechlorinator on every water change. Test parameters weekly during cycling, biweekly once stable. Stable consistency beats sliding-scale "ideal" parameters.
What Frontosa Cichlid eats
Frontosa Cichlid is a carnivore. Eats meaty foods - frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and quality carnivore pellets. Live food (PE Mysis, live brine, live blackworms) triggers feeding response in stressed or new arrivals. Feed 2-3 times weekly for adults; daily for growing juveniles. Feed Frontosa Cichlid appropriately for its size + activity level. Overfeeding is the #1 cause of water-quality crashes in tanks of all sizes.
Frontosa Cichlid tankmates and compatibility
Frontosa Cichlid works in community tanks with peaceful species in similar size class. Adult-size matters more than purchase-size when planning stocking. Avoid mixing aggressive with passive species.
Browse care guides for tankmate-compatibility tables for Frontosa Cichlid and similar species.
Frontosa Cichlid adult size and lifespan
Frontosa Cichlid reaches 14 inches at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 15-20 years with proper care. Most freshwater species live 3-10 years; larger species (oscars, plecos, knifefish) reach 10-20+ years.
Can you breed Frontosa Cichlid?
Frontosa Cichlid can be bred in dedicated breeding tanks with appropriate setup and water-chemistry triggers. Research the species-specific breeding requirements before attempting.
Common Frontosa Cichlid diseases and problems
Frontosa Cichlid is susceptible to standard freshwater diseases (ich, columnaris, fin rot, bacterial infections). Quarantine new Frontosa Cichlid for 4 weeks before adding to your display tank. Treat fish in a separate hospital tank to avoid affecting plants and inverts. Most disease outbreaks trace back to poor water quality, chronic stress, or skipped quarantine.
Where to buy Frontosa Cichlid online
Frontosa Cichlid is sold at LFS (local fish stores), online retailers, and direct from breeders/wholesalers. Pricing varies widely by source, size, and quality:
Browse live Frontosa Cichlid from vetted Fast Aquatics vendors with carrier-tracked overnight shipping (FedEx Priority + UPS Next Day), climate-aware hold logic, and a 2-hour DOA window with photo-evidence claims. Captive-bred or aquacultured specimens cost more upfront but arrive healthier and integrate faster.
Frontosa Cichlid FAQ
What size tank does the Frontosa Cichlid need?
Frontosa Cichlid requires a minimum of 120 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (14 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern. Most Frontosa Cichlid sold at small juvenile size will reach full adult size within 12-24 months and the system must be sized to the adult, not the juvenile.
Is the Frontosa Cichlid hard to keep?
The Frontosa Cichlid is rated intermediate difficulty on this care sheet. It needs a tank of at least 120 gallons, a temperature of 74-80°F and pH 6.5-7.5. Adults reach about 14 inches and live 15-20 years. Frontosa Cichlid (Cyphotilapia frontosa) is a intermediate-care freshwater species that thrives in tanks of 120 gallons or larger with stable parameters.
What water parameters does the Frontosa Cichlid need?
Frontosa Cichlid prefers freshwater parameters: Temperature: 74-80°F pH: 6.5-7.5 GH: 4-12 dGH KH: 3-8 dKH Ammonia + nitrite: Both 0 ppm Nitrate: Under 20 ppm long-term Copper: 0 (especially critical for invertebrates) Use dechlorinator on every water change. Test parameters weekly during cycling, biweekly once stable. Stable consistency beats sliding-scale "ideal" parameters.
What does the Frontosa Cichlid eat?
Frontosa Cichlid is a carnivore. Eats meaty foods - frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and quality carnivore pellets. Live food (PE Mysis, live brine, live blackworms) triggers feeding response in stressed or new arrivals. Feed 2-3 times weekly for adults; daily for growing juveniles. Feed Frontosa Cichlid appropriately for its size + activity level.
How big does the Frontosa Cichlid get and how long does it live?
Frontosa Cichlid reaches 14 inches at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 15-20 years with proper care. Most freshwater species live 3-10 years; larger species (oscars, plecos, knifefish) reach 10-20+ years. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (14 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern.
What are common problems with the Frontosa Cichlid?
Frontosa Cichlid is susceptible to standard freshwater diseases (ich, columnaris, fin rot, bacterial infections). Quarantine new Frontosa Cichlid for 4 weeks before adding to your display tank. Treat fish in a separate hospital tank to avoid affecting plants and inverts. Most disease outbreaks trace back to poor water quality, chronic stress, or skipped quarantine.
Where does the Frontosa Cichlid come from in the wild?
Frontosa Cichlid (Cyphotilapia frontosa) is native to specific tropical and subtropical freshwater systems. The captive-bred Frontosa Cichlid sold at most LFS comes from generations of farmed stock and is generally hardier and better-acclimated to tank conditions than wild-caught equivalents. Wild specimens are occasionally available for keepers chasing original-bloodline coloration or biotope-accurate stocking.
Related freshwater species you might also keep
Other species in the same category with care profiles on Fast Aquatics. Click any name for the full husbandry breakdown.
Frontosa Cichlid taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.