FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Doesn't everyone just love Frontosa Cichlids? Out of all the people I've talked to online, everyone loved Frontosa's. And rightfully so, these boys are beatuful.

Right now my LFS has high-quality stock, about 1-1/2" to 2" long, for only $15.99. I would get some, but right now all I have is a 29g tank. For Christmas, or maybe my birthday, I'll be getting two 55g tanks on a wrougth iron stand, but this is still too small. My rule is 90g for one adult Frontosa, with 30 gallons for each additional fish. How dose this balnce out compared to everyone else's?

Honestly, who couldn't resist a 15" cichlid with a hump on his head, bright blue fins/face, and vibrant black and white stripes on his massive side?

So, I'm open to all suggestions for a model frontosa colony. Any experiences with Frontosa's also welcome.

i dont think they need that much space, for a colony of 6 fish your tank would be roughly 8x2x2(working on your rule), seems a little extreme to me.

I kept 6 frontosas in a 180g (6x2x2) and honestly I would not of kept them in anything smaller. As mine grew I noticed little arguments between the dominant male and the others but it was never anything serious. In a smaller tank I dont think it would of been so pleasant. These fish need space and big caves. Make sure the caves are made soundly because if they have a chase they will likely knock rocks over.
I think your rule is possibly a little over generous but its better than overstocking!

---

Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Anything is better than overstocked. That thing where they overstock Mbuna doesn't amke sense. Why not just understock so they have more individual space? The other way is patholgical.

I'm not an expert with mbuna but I believe overstocking is to avoid the fish making territories and to reduce aggressive behavior. Give them space and they'll take advantage of it, not letting any others in their space, which could be 3/4 of the tank!
You cant really compare mbuna to fronties. They are from a different lake and have different personalities.

---

Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

The reason for overstocking when keeping mbuna is to spread the aggression around. No one fish gets picked on to much.

What should the male/female ratio be in colony of six or eight?

Last edited by openwater at 11-Dec-2004 15:11

Maybe u should look into getting Neolamprologus sexfasciatus(six bar cichlid). They look just like the frontosa's without the hump and only get like 5", i have one really beutiful fish.

6 bar cichlid is called the poor mans frontosa for a reason lol they r nice but nothing compared to a 16" dominate male front

in a couple years i mite get a 200 or so gallon tank n raise up a colony of fronts