Following my initial experiences with Cyprichromis leptosoma, I was eager to try them again. In November 2005, I found an ad for juveniles of the 'tanzania neon' variant. I arranged to pick up a group of 10 fish, which began their stay with me in a 75-liter quarantine tank. Despite being quite chilled upon arrival, the remaining nine fish quickly settled in, even though the tank was technically too small.
Behavior and Color Variations
Cyprichromis leptosoma 'tanzania neon' is a stunning variant where males display an impressive neon blue dorsal fin and often a yellow caudal fin. An exciting aspect of this species is that males often occur in different color morphs within the same school, providing a fantastic display of color in the aquarium. They are peaceful schooling fish that live pelagically in nature, meaning they inhabit the open water masses.
Tank and Setup
As this is a very active swimmer, the length of the tank is more important than its depth. The aquarium should be at least 100 cm long to give them room to maneuver. They thrive best in a school of at least 6-10 individuals, as this allows males to exhibit natural behaviors without overstressing individual females. The setup should prioritize plenty of open swimming space, perhaps with a few tall rocks or plants in the background to provide a sense of security.
Breeding
The species is a mouthbrooder, and spawning occurs in open water. Females are generally quite modest and grey in color, but when carrying eggs, their distended throat pouch is clearly visible. I only managed to get three fry in my first brood, but it is always a great experience to see the young fry survive in the tank. They require hard and alkaline water ($pH$ 8.0-9.0) to thrive and breed optimally.
