Frontosa: Tank Size, Tank Mates and How Many to Keep

Frontosas are big blue-and-black banded cichlids with a hump on the head. They are slow and stately, live for many years, and eat any fish small enough to swallow.

A frontosa cichlid with wide black and pale blue-white bands and a rounded forehead
A frontosa. The wide dark bands and the hump on the forehead are its marks.
Adult size
11.8 in30 cm
Smallest tank
228 gallons864 liters
Comfortable in
A custom-built tankbigger than standard sizes
How many
5 or more
Temperature
73–81 °F23–27 °C
pH
8–9
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Swims
In the middle
Heater needed
Yes

What size tank do frontosas need?

At least 230 gallons (864 liters). That is bigger than any standard home aquarium on our chart, so this is a fish for a custom-built tank. We give the size for an adult fish in a proper group, because the small fish in the shop will grow. Scientific name: Cyphotilapia frontosa.

How many frontosas in each tank size?

This is how many each standard tank carries comfortably if frontosas are the only fish in it. Share the tank with other species and the number goes down.

None. No common tank size up to 125 gallons is big enough for an adult frontosa.

Check frontosas against your own tank and other fish

Good to know

  • Lake Tanganyika fish: hard, alkaline water, a group, and a very large tank.
  • Keep at least 5. Alone or in twos and threes, frontosas hide, stop eating well, or pick on each other.
  • It eats fish small enough to swallow. Choose tankmates at least half its length.

Tank mates for frontosas

These animals like the same water, are a safe size, and have a temper that fits. It is a match on paper: always watch new tankmates for the first week.

Poor matches

  • Betta: Frontosa (about 12 in) can eat betta (about 2.6 in).
  • Angelfish: These fish do not share a comfortable pH range. Choose fish from similar water.
  • Fancy goldfish: Goldfish do best with other fancy goldfish.

Questions and answers

What size tank do frontosas need?

At least 230 gallons (864 liters). That is bigger than any standard home aquarium on our chart, so this is a fish for a custom-built tank.

How many frontosas should be kept together?

At least 5. Frontosas are social animals and only behave naturally in a group. More is better if the tank has room.

Can frontosas live in a 10 gallon tank?

No. Frontosa needs at least 230 gallons (864 liters), and grows to 12 in (30 cm), far too long for a 20 inch tank.

What temperature do frontosas need?

73–81 °F (23–27 °C), with a pH of 8–9. In most homes that means a heater.

Can frontosas live with a betta?

It is not a good match. Frontosa (about 12 in) can eat betta (about 2.6 in).

More fish

Adult size, tank size and water ranges follow the mainstream care consensus (Seriously Fish species profiles and FishBase maximum lengths). Where sources differ we use the more cautious figure. Stocking numbers come from our stocking calculator.