Family: Cichlidae
Sardine Cichlid — a Cichlidae from Lake Tanganyika, Africa, assertive but manageable with space and structure. Reaches 8.2–12.1 cm; singly, in pairs, or as a harem — never crowded. 23–25 °C.
Cyprichromis leptosoma, a member of the family Cichlidae, comes from Lake Tanganyika, Africa, where it inhabits lakes and slow rivers with structure. Assertive but manageable with space and structure and accepts all foods; emphasise quality over variety, it grows to 8.2–12.1 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 23–25 °C range. In a community tank it pairs well with Other cichlids of similar size and temperament.
Difficulty: moderate. Assertive but manageable with space and structure. Singly, in pairs, or as a harem — never crowded.
Hold 23–25 °C and keep it stable — 23–25 °C recorded range. Heater required for stable tropical warmth.
Full size is 8.2–12.1 cm. Minimum tank: 176 L, with open swimming space along its bottom-dwelling habits.
Accepts all foods; emphasise quality over variety. Vary the menu — quality flakes or pellets plus frozen or live foods.
Yes, with care. Assertive but manageable with space and structure — pair it with Other cichlids of similar size and temperament — Balance aggression across the tank and skip Delicate planted-tank species — Uprooted and outcompeted.
Comes from Lake Tanganyika, Africa: lakes and slow rivers with structure. Expect still to gentle current and moderate.
Jumping is not a known issue; cover the tank anyway during water changes.
Cave or substrate spawner with prolonged parental care. Often striking; males larger and brighter.