{"product_id":"cyprichromis-leptosoma-utinta-cyprichromis-leptosoma-utinta","title":"Cyprichromis leptosoma \"Utinta\" | Cyprichromis leptosoma","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful, mid-water schooling cichlids that drift in glittering colour, the \"Utinta\" is a striking locality of the Tanganyikan Sardine Cichlid. Reaching around 10 cm, males shimmer in blues and yellows while the shoal turns as one in the open water. Keep them in good numbers for the full, hypnotic effect.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCyprichromis leptosoma is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it lives in large shoals over the open water above rocky and intermediate zones. The lake is hard, very alkaline and remarkably stable, and these fish spend their lives suspended mid-water rather than near the substrate. Open swimming space and height matter more than heavy décor.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA slender, elongated open-water cichlid. Dominant \"Utinta\" males glow with iridescent blue bodies and bright blue-and-yellow tails, colour that intensifies during display, while females and subordinate males stay a subtle silvery-grey. Turning together, the whole group flickers with light.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful and gregarious, with males displaying and sparring harmlessly among themselves. It must be kept in a group of at least eight, ideally more, to feel secure and show its best colour. It mixes well with rock-dwelling Tanganyikans such as Julidochromis, Altolamprologus and shell-dwellers that occupy different zones. It is easily intimidated by boisterous tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA planktivore that feeds in the water column. Offer small floating and slow-sinking foods — quality micro-pellets and flake, plus frozen cyclops, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts several times a day rather than one large meal, matching its natural habit of grazing plankton continuously.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 200 L, with emphasis on length and height for a proper shoal. Keep temperature at 24–27 °C, pH 8.0–9.0 and hard water. Add some rockwork to the sides and back but leave the mid-water open, use efficient filtration and keep conditions very stable, as this open-water fish dislikes swings in water quality. It is plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. Spawning happens in open water, with the female collecting the eggs and carrying them in her mouth for around three to four weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. In a settled colony they breed readily, and the fry take fine live and powdered foods.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCyprichromis leptosoma \"Utinta\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSardine Cichlid (Utinta)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Tanganyika, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (open-water schooling)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 L or larger for a full shoal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanktivore: micro-pellets, flake, frozen cyclops, daphnia, brine shrimp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.0–9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 12–25 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTanganyikan biotope and hard-water aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other Tanganyikan cichlids occupying different zones — Julidochromis, Altolamprologus, shell-dwelling Neolamprologus — and peaceful Synodontis such as the Cuckoo Catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with boisterous or aggressive cichlids such as Malawi mbuna, and with soft, acidic-water species. Never keep it in small numbers, as lone or paired fish languish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232786989347,"sku":"AA3556-S","price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232787022115,"sku":"AA3556","price":60.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/cyprichromis-leptosoma-utint-43880854487331.webp?v=1790305826","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/cyprichromis-leptosoma-utinta-cyprichromis-leptosoma-utinta","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}