Sardine Cichlid

• ExerciseHigh

  A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment5–8 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Parasites

Cyprichromis leptosoma is a slender open-water Tanganyikan of about 10 to 13 cm, living in large shoals above rocky drop-offs and feeding on zooplankton. Males come in blue, yellow-tail and blue-flash forms depending on population; females are silvery. It is a mouthbrooder that spawns in open water rather than on a surface, with the female catching the eggs mid-column, which is unusual even among cichlids. Keep a shoal of ten or more in 250 litres or more at 24-27C, pH 8.0 to 9.0, hard buffered water, with rock along the back and as much open swimming volume as possible. Feed frozen cyclops, mysis and brine shrimp plus a small floating pellet, in several small feeds. It is peaceful and nervous rather than territorial, and it is the classic upper-level partner for shell dwellers, julies and calvus, filling the empty top half of a Tanganyikan tank. Two practical notes: it is a determined jumper and needs a tight lid, and it settles far better when the shoal is large enough that individuals are not exposed.

• How active is a Sardine Cichlid?

  High. A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• How much maintenance does a Sardine Cichlid need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Sardine Cichlid need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Sardine Cichlid a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Sardine Cichlid live?

  5–8 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Sardine Cichlid?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Parasites. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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