Gold Sardine Cichlid (Cyprichromis leptosoma)
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 243L
£58.99
The Chipimbi Sardine Cichlid is a wild-type population of Cyprichromis leptosoma from Lake Tanganyika, about 11 cm, males with blue-edged fins and a yellow tail. Sold as one unsexed fish of about 4–5 cm per quantity for a long 300-litre-plus aquarium at 24–27°C, pH 7.8–9.0.
African CichlidCyprichromisFreshwater FishLake Tanganyika Cichlidlisting-audit-2026-10-02Moderate CareOpen Water CichlidPeaceful Cichlid
Care at a Glance
Scientific Name
Cyprichromis leptosoma 'Chipimbi'
Max Adult Size
up to 11 cm
Care Level
Moderate
Temperament
Peaceful open-water shoaling cichlid
Temperature
24–27°C
pH Range
7.8–9
Hardness
10–25 dGH
Minimum Tank
300L
Diet
Planktivore: micro-pellets, crushed flake and small frozen foods
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Water Parameters
Temperature
24–27°C
24°CIdeal27°C
pH Level
7.8–9
7.8Ideal9
Water Hardness
10–25 dGH
10 dGHIdeal25 dGH
Cyprichromis leptosoma 'Chipimbi'
Chipimbi Sardine Cichlid (Cyprichromis leptosoma 'Chipimbi')
Moderate Care
Peaceful
£25.99/ fishSold Out
Shoal Pricing
— save up to 30%Shoaling fish: kept in a group they feel safer, stay calmer and show their best colour.
Your shoal
£208.00You save £51.90
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Live arrival guaranteed. If they don’t arrive healthy, email us a short unboxing video the same day for a replacement or refund. Packed in oxygenated bags with insulation and heat packs when needed.
£19.95 tracked delivery — half price (£9.98) from £100.00, free from £200.00. One delivery charge however many fish you add — everything travels together with a licensed live-animal courier.
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The Chipimbi Sardine Cichlid is a wild-type population of Cyprichromis leptosoma from Lake Tanganyika, about 11 cm, males with blue-edged fins and a yellow tail. Sold as one unsexed fish of about 4–5 cm per quantity for a long 300-litre-plus aquarium at 24–27°C, pH 7.8–9.0.
African CichlidCyprichromisFreshwater FishLake Tanganyika Cichlidlisting-audit-2026-10-02Moderate CareOpen Water CichlidPeaceful Cichlid
Care at a Glance
Scientific Name
Cyprichromis leptosoma 'Chipimbi'
Max Adult Size
up to 11 cm
Care Level
Moderate
Temperament
Peaceful open-water shoaling cichlid
Temperature
24–27°C
pH Range
7.8–9
Hardness
10–25 dGH
Minimum Tank
300L
Diet
Planktivore: micro-pellets, crushed flake and small frozen foods
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Similar choices available now
Full Care Guide
Cichlids: Types, Care & Tank Planning
Cichlids are a family of roughly 1,800 accepted species, not one care type. Before buying, identify the exact species and source, then compare adult measurement, usable tank dimensions, social system, territory, tested water, diet and an exit plan. No family-wide minimum tank, water range or tank-mate list is safe.
14 min readRead guide
Water Parameters
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Temperature
24–27°C
24°CIdeal27°C
pH Level
7.8–9
7.8Ideal9
Water Hardness
10–25 dGH
10 dGHIdeal25 dGH
An open-water Lake Tanganyika cichlid for a large shoal
Cyprichromis leptosoma is a slender, open-water cichlid from Lake Tanganyika that lives in large shoals near rocky shores, feeding on plankton. Chipimbi is a wild-type population named after its collecting locality; males show blue-edged dorsal and anal fins and a yellow tail over a grey-brown body, while females are plainer. FishBase gives a maximum length of about 11 cm.
This listing sells single, unsexed fish of the Chipimbi population.
| Scientific name | Cyprichromis leptosoma 'Chipimbi' |
|---|---|
| Family | Cichlidae |
| Origin | Lake Tanganyika |
| Adult size | About 11 cm |
| Temperature | 24–27°C |
| pH | 7.8–9.0 |
| Hardness | 10–25 dGH |
| Aquarium | A long aquarium of about 300 litres or more for a group |
| Sold as | One unsexed fish per quantity, about 4–5 cm |
What you receive
One quantity is one live Chipimbi Cyprichromis of about 4–5 cm, unsexed. This is a shoaling fish: order a group, ideally ten or more, and expect colour to develop as the fish mature.
Aquarium and water
Provide a long aquarium of about 300 litres or more (around 150 cm long) with open midwater swimming space, rockwork along the back and a tight lid, as Cyprichromis can jump when startled. Keep hard, alkaline Tanganyika water — 24–27°C, pH 7.8–9.0 and 10–25 dGH, the range in Seriously Fish — with stable conditions and regular partial water changes.
Feeding
A plankton feeder: offer small foods such as quality micro-pellets, crushed flake, and frozen Cyclops, Daphnia and brine shrimp in several small meals a day.
Tank mates and behaviour
Peaceful towards other fish and best kept as a large group. Good with other Tanganyika species that use different parts of the aquarium, such as shell-dwellers, Julidochromis or Neolamprologus in a large tank. Avoid aggressive or large predatory cichlids that would intimidate or eat them.
Follow the arrival sequence before releasing the fish
Tropical Fish Co’s delivery and Live Arrival Guarantee policy explains the packing and arrival procedure. Livestock is hand-bagged in pure oxygen and placed in an insulated poly box, with a heat pack when the weather calls for it. Someone must be at the address to receive the parcel because live animals cannot be left unattended.
- Receive the parcel in person and start filming before opening it. Show the parcel still sealed with the outer box visible.
- Open the parcel in one continuous take. Keep filming until the fish can be seen inside the sealed bag before anything is disturbed.
- Float the bag for 20–30 minutes so the temperature equalises slowly.
- Do not pour the bag water into the aquarium. Release the fish without adding transport water to the established system.
If a Live Arrival Guarantee claim is required, contact us on the same day with the order number and the continuous unboxing video. Before the parcel arrives, confirm that ammonia and nitrite read zero and that the aquarium matches the water values on this page.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the jumbo or yellow-head Cyprichromis?
No. This listing is the Chipimbi population of Cyprichromis leptosoma. Other forms are separate listings.
How many should I keep?
A group, ideally ten or more; one quantity is one unsexed fish.
How big does it grow?
About 11 cm.
What water does it need?
Hard, alkaline Lake Tanganyika conditions: 24–27°C, pH 7.8–9.0 and 10–25 dGH.
Public references
- FishBase: Cyprichromis leptosoma — identity, native range and size.
- Seriously Fish: Cyprichromis leptosoma — water conditions, aquarium size and behaviour.
- RSPCA aquarium environment guidance — biological filtration and the aquarium nitrogen cycle.
Customer Reviews
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What customers say about ordering from us
- 4 out of 5Verified buyer
I have a small group of long finned mountain minnows. So was delighted to be able to order ten of this variety to increase the genetics in my tank . The ones I recieved are healthy but it’s to early to give a verdict on wether they are of a long finned type since they are small currently.
Gordon Walker · 23 Sept 2026
- 5 out of 5Verified buyer
100% success travel and "installation". Pleased with quality of purchase. The Siamese fighter a bit "shy" so have not yet seen him at his best yet but looking good. Happy customer. GG
George E Garratt · 21 Sept 2026
Reviews of our shop, collected by Judge.me, an independent third-party review collector. Newest first.