Moderate
Kasai Smallscale Cyprichromis (Cyprichromis microlepidotus)
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 250L
£42.99
Yellow-selected jumbo form of Cyprichromis leptosoma (~12 cm). Peaceful Tanganyika midwater cichlid for 300 L+ hard, alkaline aquariums.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Cyprichromis lept. jumbo yellow
Cyprichromis lept. jumbo yellow are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.
Yellow-selected jumbo form of Cyprichromis leptosoma (~12 cm). Peaceful Tanganyika midwater cichlid for 300 L+ hard, alkaline aquariums.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Cichlids are one of the most diverse fish families in the hobby. From tiny apistogrammas to massive oscars, this guide covers the basics of keeping them well.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Set against the sand and grey rock of a Tanganyika layout, yellow is the colour that carries furthest — and that is precisely the job this jumbo form of Cyprichromis leptosoma was selected to do. Its name says it plainly: a yellow-toned, larger-bodied leptosoma reaching around 12 cm, bringing a bright and constantly moving presence to the middle of the tank.
The fundamentals are pure Cyprichromis. It is peaceful on record, holds the midwater rather than fighting over the rocks, and earns its moderate care rating through its Lake Tanganyika water requirements: 24–27 °C, pH 7.5–8.5 and hardness from 12 to 30 dGH, all kept consistent. Stability is the discipline here — the lake it comes from barely changes, and the aquarium should follow suit. Its diet entry reads planktivore and micro-predator, so feed small items it can pick off as they move through open water. With adults at 12 cm and a lifespan of about eight years, a 300-litre aquarium with genuine swimming length is the right home from the start.
For display purposes, think of this fish as the moving colour above your hardscape: the rocks hold the territory-holders, and the Jumbo Yellow owns everything above them. Keep the lighting moderate and the background plain, and the yellow does the rest of the work on its own. Buy with the long view in mind, too — at eight years of recorded lifespan, this is a fish you will be watching for the better part of a decade, so set the tank up properly the first time.
Its best companions are its own kind and its relatives: other Cyprichromis or Paracyprichromis species, peaceful Tanganyikan open-water and midwater fish, and Synodontis catfish. Cross off large aggressive cichlids, highly territorial fish, fin-nipping species, soft-water community fish and anything small enough to be intimidated or outcompeted at mealtimes. Like all our Tanganyika stock, it ships by licensed live-animal courier with a live arrival guarantee included.
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 250L
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 200L
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 200L
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 250L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–9 · 40L
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
20–24°C · pH 7–8 · 45L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 2000L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 7–8 · 120L
18–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 20L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.8 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 40L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 500L
28–30°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 300L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 200L
23–27°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 80L
24–28°C · pH 8–9 · 300L