Gibberosa cichlid

Cyphotilapia gibberosa is a deep-water cichlid from the southern half of Lake Tanganyika, long confused with its northern relative C. frontosa. Large males develop a pronounced nuchal hump and bold blue-and-black barring, and geographic forms such as Blue Zaire, Mpimbwe and Kigoma differ in the shade of blue. It is a slow-growing, relatively peaceful giant reaching about 30 cm, best kept as one male with several females in a spacious tank of at least 400 litres with tall rockwork and open sand. It needs the hard, alkaline, well-oxygenated water typical of the Rift lakes and cool, stable temperatures around 24-26 C. A patient predator of small fish and invertebrates, it takes quality carnivore pellets, mysis and krill; avoid overly fatty or mammalian foods. A calm, majestic centrepiece for the dedicated Tanganyika aquarist.