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.