{"product_id":"frontosa-6-bar-burundi-cyphotilapia-frontosa-burundi","title":"Frontosa 6 bar Burundi | Cyphotilapia frontosa 'Burundi'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Burundi Frontosa is the classic six-bar form of Lake Tanganyika's most majestic cichlid — bold black-and-white banding on a deep, regal body, topped by a growing nuchal hump in mature males. Reaching around 25–35 cm and living for decades, it is a slow-growing, dignified colony fish and a true centrepiece for the dedicated big-tank keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, where the northern (Burundi) populations live in deep water over rocky drop-offs. The lake is hard, highly alkaline and exceptionally stable, and these conditions must be reproduced closely for Frontosa to thrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA tall, deep-bodied cichlid with five to six broad dark bars over a pale blue-white body, trailing fins, and the pronounced forehead hump that develops with age and rank. The Burundi form is prized for its clean six-bar patterning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMild-mannered for its size, but a predator that will eat small fish. It is best kept as a colony of one male to several females in a large tank, with other robust Tanganyikans of comparable size. It is slow and deliberate rather than boisterous, so tankmates should not be aggressive or overly fast feeders.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore that in the wild ambushes smaller fish at night. Feed a quality cichlid pellet with meaty frozen foods such as mysis, krill and prawn. Avoid mammalian meats and excessive protein, which can cause digestive problems (bloat) in Rift Lake cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a large, deep tank with rockwork, open swimming space and a sandy floor, plus hard, alkaline, very clean water. Strong filtration and steady maintenance keep this long-lived fish healthy. Stability is key — avoid sudden changes in chemistry or temperature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The female broods the fertilised eggs in her mouth for around four to six weeks, releasing large, well-developed fry. Frontosa breed slowly and mature late, but an established colony will spawn reliably in good conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCyphotilapia frontosa 'Burundi'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBurundi Six-Bar Frontosa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Tanganyika (northern\/Burundi waters), East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–35 cm (males occasionally larger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–25 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMild for size, but predatory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e750+ litres (colony)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.0–9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12–20 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge Lake Tanganyika colony aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally (Tanganyikan tanks are usually rock-and-sand)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther large Lake Tanganyika cichlids such as Altolamprologus, larger Julidochromis, and robust Tanganyikan species that share its hard, alkaline water and calm temperament.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmall fish that will be eaten, soft-water species, and hyperactive or aggressive cichlids that will out-compete this slow, deliberate feeder.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232784040227,"sku":"AA1367-S","price":43.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232784072995,"sku":"AA1367","price":53.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232784105763,"sku":"AA1367-L","price":63.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-35cm)","offer_id":55351958307107,"sku":"AA1367-XL","price":73.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/frontosa-6-bar-burundi-cypho-43879875543331.webp?v=1790305825","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/frontosa-6-bar-burundi-cyphotilapia-frontosa-burundi","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}