CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

G`day

Thinking of getting a frontosa.
Ive seen a few pics but havent been able to see one live yet.
Just wondering what info anyone may have about them and what tank conditions they may need..

Regards

------------------
TONY S

Male Frontosa's get between 14" in captivity and 16" in wild. Females will get up to 10" in captivity 12" in wild. They are found in the deep waters of Lake Tanganyika around 100' or so. Frontosa will eat almost anything. They are primarily meat eaters so that should be considered when planning their diets in the home aquarium. Frontosa's are mouth brooders. Frontosa's do not have large broads either. There are many different types of Frontosa's as well such as the 6 and 7 Stripe, the Blue's and Mpimbwe.


-S42K

[This message has been edited by S42K (edited 03-09-2001).]

Thanks for that mate.

------------------
TONY S

Heey I heard they have a ph of 9 is that true?

------------------
TONY S

Yes they require a higher PH level and lower light conditions as they are deep water fish. To be honest with you I don't mess with the PH level. I make sure the ammonia levels are zero and I do frequent water changes. I have never had a problem with any of my fish. I try to stay away from all the chemical additives to my tanks. I keep a Frontosa with Red Devil, Green Terror, Texas Cichlid and a Jewel Cichlid with any problems. >.=)

-S42K

Cool
Thanks for the info. Sounds like I am going to have to start another tank first. My wife is going to love me. Oh well she married me with all my hobbies attatched. Good thing I got a large house with solid foundations.
Wouldnt mind getting some of those green terrors, red devils etc everyone talks about.
Probably pay a fortune for them here though.
Yeah I dont like mucking around with chemicals either, rather do things a natural safe way.
Anyway enough rambling on, Im off to have a look around for tank prices (again)

Regards

------------------
TONY S

Well the funny thing is we went to Wal-Mart for the Red Devil and paid $1.49 with out even knowing it was a Red Devil. It was only about an inch and a quater long at the time. Now he/she is around 4 inches in length >.=) My Frontosa I paid $15 for at a LFS, my Green Terror I got for $1.49 at around inch and half at LFS, Jewel Cichlid believe it or not I paid a whopping 99 cents for!! Oh ya and I have a crawfish in there with the fish as well.
I would think you being from Australia, you would be more into salt water fish. I would think they would be a lot cheaper there as well. Good Luck

-S42K

Struth maybe Im in the wrong country.

Any one want to support my visa application?



------------------
TONY S

I'm in Sydney Australia. Frontosas here are not as blue as they are in the states. We don't get such beautiful Frontosas here. But you can buy baby Frontosas from Bondi Junction at the moment for $40AUD each. As for Green Terrors. I just bought a beautiful one. 15cm for $35. And I got myself a baby Jack Dempsey for $15 and one massive 25cm Texas (So beautiful) for $80. Yes Australia isn't cheap for fish but what can you do?!

Well Frontosa's here are cought in wild F0 and they have baby's which are F1 then those have babies which are F2's etc.. So I can't see why the coloration would be all that different..

-S42K

From what I have seen on the web, there are like 7-8 differant varieties that live in differant areas of the lake they come from ranging in color from all white to all blue and partials inbetween. The ones you have seen in Aus. are probably just the whiter varieties.

Correct there are many different varieties of Frontosa's. But the difference is some are either 6 or 7 stripes, darker or lighter blue. I have never seen a white Frontosa. We have several breeders in our area as well, and none of them know of a white species. Interesting....

-S42K