Slender cichlid - Cyprichromis leptosoma

Scientific name: Cyprichromis leptosoma

Common name: Slender cichlid

Family: Cichlidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 12 - 13 cm (4.72 - 5.12 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 7.8 - 8.9

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 18 - 30°N (321.43 - 535.71ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 22 - 25 °C (71.6 - 77°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: Africa

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Food and feeding

Due to the small size of Slender cichlids, the will require regular small meals. Quality flake and brine shrimp will be readily accepted, along with plankton and glass worms.

Origin

Africa; Slender cichlid originates from Lake Tanganyika.

Sexing

The males will display yellow in their fins, females tend to be more drab but still delightful to look at.

Breeding

Slender cichlids are a mouth brooding species; the female will nudge the male and move her mouth near to his vent to catch his sperm. She will lay her eggs in mid water and then swim backwards to place the egg into her mouth. Once she has laid 3-4 eggs this process will be repeated several times. The female should release the fry after 3 weeks and they will accept the same food as their parents.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Cyprichromis leptosoma is 5-8 years.

Short description

In the wild, Cyprichromis leptosoma live in very large shoals, in the aquarium; groups of at least 12 fish should be kept together. Unlike a lot of the African cichlids, they will swim above the rock work; this in turn will help the other tank mates to relax.

Pictures

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.