What fish can live with Frontosa?

Frontosa pairs well with Platy, Molly, Swordtail, Bloodfin Tetra, Sailfin Molly, Three-Spot Gourami. Compatibility depends on tank size, water parameters, and stocking density; the full list on this page ranks every checked pairing.

Species Profile

Frontosa

Cyphotilapia frontosa

Cichlidssemi-aggressive

Adult size

14″

Minimum tank

125 gal

Temperature

76–82°F

8–9

Schooling

Group of 5+

Water level

mid

Grows from juvenile

Typically sold at ~2″ and reaches 14″ over ~3 years. Plan tank size for the adult, not the fish at purchase.

Diet

Sinking pellets, frozen

Notes

Lake Tanganyikan with the distinctive male head hump. Lives in deep rocky water in the wild and wants a tall tank with caves. Long-lived (20+ years), slow-growing, and worth the commitment to set up properly.

Compatible Tankmates

Best tank mates for Frontosa

Every species below passes the compatibility engine when paired with Frontosain a suitably sized tank. Verdicts come from the same rules the builder uses — click a card to see that species' own care profile and its tank mates in turn.