Black Widow Frontosa Cyphotilapia frontosa
£35.00
Black Widow Frontosa Cyphotilapia frontosa.
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Description
Black Widow Frontosa (Cyphotilapia frontosa)
Species Care Sheet:
Overview
The Black Widow Frontosa is a striking, selectively bred colour morph of the Cyphotilapia frontosa species, native to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. Known for its bold, irregular black-and-white marbled pattern rather than the traditional vertical stripes, it is a prized specimen for large African Cichlid displays.
Aquarium Parameters
- Minimum Tank Size: 450 litres (100 gallons) for a small colony.
- Water Temperature: 24°C to 27°C (75°F to 81°F).
- pH Level: 8.0 – 9.0 (Hard, alkaline water is essential).
- Water Hardness: 10–20 dGH.
Diet & Feeding
Frontosa are carnivorous opportunistic predators. In the home aquarium, they should be fed a varied diet to maintain health and colour:
- High-quality sinking pellets (specially formulated for African Cichlids).
- Frozen foods:Â Mysis shrimp, krill, and chopped prawns.
- Note:Â Avoid mammalian proteins (like beef heart) as they can cause digestive issues.
Behaviour & Compatibility
- Temperament: Generally peaceful but territorial. They are “gentle giants” compared to other rift lake cichlids but will eat any fish small enough to fit in their mouths.
- Social Structure: Best kept in a colony (one male to several females).
- Tank Mates: Best kept with other large Lake Tanganyika species like Altolamprologus (Calvus) or large Synodontis catfish. Avoid overly aggressive Mbuna.
Aquarium Setup
- Substrate: Fine sand is preferred, as they like to sift through it.
- Decor: Use rock piles to create caves and territories. Ensure rocks are stable, as Frontosa can be powerful diggers.
- Filtration: High-capacity filtration is necessary due to their size and protein-rich diet. Regular water changes are vital to keep nitrates low.
Physical Characteristics
- Size: Males can reach up to 30–35 cm, while females remain slightly smaller.
- Nuchal Hump: Mature specimens (especially males) develop a prominent hump on their heads.
- Longevity: With proper care, they can live for 15 to 25 years.
Convenient nationwide delivery; you’re only a click away!
Our nationwide delivery service makes it easy to receive your fish directly at your door, anywhere in the UK, for a flat rate of just £30. This convenient service allows you to order up to 10kg of fish, with the assurance that they will arrive in excellent condition. To make the fishes journey as comfortable as possible we use Oxygen in the fish bags and heat packs in all the boxes of fish we send out.
For your peace of mind we enclose a slip which will explain what to do in the event of a fish not traveling too well.
We use a licensed courier to deliver your fish directly to you door and will be with you by 1pm the next day.
Our delivery days are as follows:
Tuesday for Wednesday delivery
Wednesday for Thursday delivery
Thursday for Friday delivery
Please put your desired delivery day in the Order Notes on the Checkout page.
General Enquiries
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