{"product_id":"frontosa-kigoma-7-bar-cyphotilapia-frontosa-kigoma","title":"Frontosa kigoma 7 bar | Cyphotilapia frontosa 'Kigoma'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Kigoma Frontosa is the prized seven-bar form of Lake Tanganyika's most majestic cichlid, distinguished by an extra body bar and superb blue colouration. Reaching around 25–35 cm and living for decades, it is a premium locality variant of a slow-growing, regal colony fish for the dedicated big-tank keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, with the Kigoma population found off the Tanzanian shore, living in deep water over rocky drop-offs. The lake is hard, highly alkaline and exceptionally stable, and those conditions must be reproduced closely for Frontosa to flourish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA tall, deep-bodied cichlid marked by seven broad dark bars over a strikingly blue-white body, with flowing fins and the characteristic forehead hump that grows with age and rank. The Kigoma form is sought after for its extra banding and intense blue.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMild for its size but a nocturnal 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 similar size. Its slow, deliberate manner means it dislikes boisterous or aggressive tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore that ambushes smaller fish in the wild. Feed a quality cichlid pellet with meaty frozen foods such as mysis, krill and prawn. Avoid mammalian meats and excessive protein, which can cause 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, a sandy floor and hard, alkaline, very clean water. Strong filtration and steady maintenance keep this long-lived fish in top health. Stability of chemistry and temperature is essential.\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 before releasing large, well-developed fry. Frontosa mature late and breed slowly, 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 'Kigoma'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKigoma Seven-Bar Frontosa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Tanganyika (Kigoma, Tanzania), 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 fast 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":55232787087651,"sku":"AA3475-S","price":65.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232787120419,"sku":"AA3475","price":75.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232787153187,"sku":"AA3475-L","price":85.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-35cm)","offer_id":55351958536483,"sku":"AA3475-XL","price":95.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/frontosa-kigoma-7-bar-cyphot-43880854880547.webp?v=1790305826","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/frontosa-kigoma-7-bar-cyphotilapia-frontosa-kigoma","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}