Cyphotilapia gibberosa
Cyphotilapia gibberosa
The Cyphotilapia gibberosa (Cyphotilapia gibberosa) is an aggressive fish that's best left to experienced keepers. Give it a tank of at least 450 litres (119 US gallons), water held at 75-81°F, and a pH of 7.5-9.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Africa / South America (varies)
- Africa
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Cyphotilapia gibberosa Tank Setup
Give them at least 450 litres (119 US gallons). Cichlids are territorial and produce plenty of waste, so strong filtration and some rocks or wood to break up sight lines both help. Aim for 75-81°F and a pH around 7.5-9. They grow to around 25 cm, so plan the tank size and filtration for a full-grown adult rather than the small juvenile you see in the shop.
What Do Cyphotilapia gibberosas Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Cyphotilapia gibberosa Tank Mates
Blue Frontosa from southern Lake Tanganyika. Large mouthbrooding cichlid; keep in species groups. The Cyphotilapia gibberosa is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's a known fin-nipper, so avoid bettas, guppies, and other slow, long-finned fish. At around 25 cm fully grown, it needs tank mates that can hold their own against its size and appetite. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Cyphotilapia gibberosas Good for Beginners?
Not a sensible first purchase. Get the tank cycled, keep easier fish stable for a year, then revisit if you still want the extra work this species demands.
Cyphotilapia gibberosa - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Cyphotilapia gibberosas need?
Cyphotilapia gibberosas need a tank of at least 450 litres (119 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Cyphotilapia gibberosas need?
Keep them at 75-81°F with a pH of 7.5-9, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Cyphotilapia gibberosas eat?
Cyphotilapia gibberosas are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Cyphotilapia gibberosas good for beginners?
Cyphotilapia gibberosas are not a beginner species. They need precise conditions and consistent maintenance, so build experience with hardier fish before keeping them.
Common mistakes with Cyphotilapia gibberosas
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 450 litres (119 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
- Mixing with long-finned fish - Cyphotilapia gibberosas will nip at bettas, angelfish, and other fish with flowing fins, causing stress and infection risk.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Cyphotilapia gibberosas
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Common GoldfishGoldfish - prefer cooler, harder water that tropical fish cannot tolerate
- GuppySize risk - Cyphotilapia gibberosas will likely eat Guppy at adult size
