Moderate
Cyprichromis leptosoma mpulungu
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 200L
£13.99
Yellow Head Kekese Cyprichromis for hard, alkaline Lake Tanganyika aquariums with open swimming space, small foods and peaceful group behaviour.
Cyprichromis leptosoma
Yellow Head Kekese Cyprichromis bond and breed in male/female pairs — buying a pair gives them the social structure they need.
Yellow Head Kekese Cyprichromis for hard, alkaline Lake Tanganyika aquariums with open swimming space, small foods and peaceful group behaviour.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Yellow Head Kekese Cyprichromis (Cyprichromis leptosoma) is an open-water cichlid from Lake Tanganyika. This listing is currently out of stock, so the page is written as a care and comparison reference until the next availability update.
The appeal of this Kekese form is the combination of yellow-head male colour, slim schooling movement and a calmer nature than many rock-dwelling Rift Lake cichlids. It suits aquarists who want activity in the middle and upper water rather than another territorial fish fixed to one cave.
| Scientific name | Cyprichromis leptosoma |
|---|---|
| Adult size | Around 8-10 cm |
| Minimum aquarium | 200 litres or larger, with clear swimming length |
| Temperature | 24-27 C |
| pH | 7.8-9.0 |
| Water hardness | Hard, alkaline Tanganyika-style water |
| Temperament | Peaceful for a Tanganyika cichlid; best in a group |
| Diet | Fine pellets, cyclops, daphnia, brine shrimp and similar small foods |
Plan the aquarium around open water. Use rockwork for structure, sight breaks and a natural Tanganyika look, but leave the upper half of the tank clear enough for the group to cruise. A long, well-oxygenated tank is more important than a crowded display full of decoration.
Keep a group of at least six, with larger groups preferred when space allows. Stable hard, alkaline water is important: aim for 24-27 C, pH 7.8-9.0 and consistent mineral content. Avoid soft, acidic community setups because they work against the fish rather than with it.
Feed small portions that match an open-water planktivore. Fine cichlid pellets, cyclops, daphnia, baby brine shrimp and similar foods are better than large sinking meals. Several light feeds suit the way Cyprichromis pick food from the water column.
Choose tank mates that respect open-water fish. Good options include calm Tanganyika cichlids, shell-dwellers and suitable Synodontis. Avoid aggressive mbuna, large predators and boisterous fish that will push Cyprichromis away from food.
When this fish is available again, eligible livestock orders are packed for stable travel and sent by live-animal courier. The Live Arrival Guarantee applies when arrival and acclimation instructions are followed.
Cyprichromis leptosoma should be planned as a hard-water cichlid, not as a soft-water community fish. Keep the chemistry steady and avoid sudden swings. A stable aquarium with strong oxygenation is more important than chasing exact numbers every day.
| Care point | Target | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.8-9.0 | Matches the hard alkaline conditions this group is adapted to |
| Temperature | 24-27 C | Suitable tropical Tanganyika range |
| Hardness | Moderate to hard | Helps avoid soft-water stress |
| Oxygen | High, with steady surface movement | Supports active open-water swimming |
This fish is at its best in a group. A single specimen can look nervous and does not show the same natural movement. Plan swimming length first, then add rockwork around the edges and lower areas so the open middle and upper water remain usable.
| Planning choice | Recommended approach |
|---|---|
| Group size | At least six, with larger groups preferred in spacious tanks |
| Rockwork | Use for structure and sight breaks, not to fill the whole tank |
| Swimming zone | Leave the middle and upper water open |
| Filtration | Strong biological filtration with good oxygen exchange |
Yellow Head Kekese is an open-water feeder. Use small floating or slow-sinking foods that stay available in the water column. Large sinking meals are less suitable because the fish is built to pick smaller foods as it swims. Feed calmly and watch that every size variant has time to take food.
| Food | Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fine cichlid pellets | Staple | Use small sizes that are easy to take midwater |
| Cyclops and daphnia | Variety | Good match for small planktivore feeding |
| Baby brine shrimp | Conditioning | Useful after arrival and for smaller fish |
| Large meaty chunks | Avoid as a main diet | Too heavy for the natural feeding style |
Because this listing is out of stock, use the page as a readiness check. If your aquarium is still new, soft, acidic or crowded with aggressive rock cichlids, wait before ordering. If you already keep stable Tanganyika water and want movement above the rocks, this Kekese form is a strong candidate when available.
| Ready if... | Wait if... |
|---|---|
| You have a mature hard-water aquarium | The tank is new or still cycling |
| You can keep a group, not just one fish | You only have space for a single specimen |
| Tank mates are calm Tanganyika species | Current fish are aggressive or very boisterous |
| You can feed small foods in the water column | You mainly feed large sinking foods |
When restocked, keep the first week calm. Dim the lights during release, avoid heavy feeding on day one and watch breathing, posture and group behaviour. Small frequent meals are better than one large feed while the group settles. If the group hovers high in the water, keeps colour and responds to small foods, that is a much better sign than chasing them around the tank for activity.
Eligible orders can use WELCOME10 where the promotion applies. The Live Arrival Guarantee applies to eligible livestock orders when the delivery, receiving and acclimation instructions are followed.
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