{"product_id":"cyprichromis-leptosoma-livua-blue-orchid","title":"Mpulungu Sardine Cichlid (Cyprichromis leptosoma «Mpulungu»)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Mpulungu Sardine Cichlid (\u003cem\u003eCyprichromis leptosoma\u003c\/em\u003e «Mpulungu») is a peaceful, schooling open-water cichlid from the Mpulungu region of Lake Tanganyika. Males display stunning blue and yellow colouration during courtship, while females are more silvery. This pelagic species occupies the upper water column, making it a perfect complement to bottom-dwelling Tanganyika species. Adults reach 12 cm and can live up to 8 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare at a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCyprichromis leptosoma\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCichlidae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Tanganyika, East Africa (Mpulungu)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH Range\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8–9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Hardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–25 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore; plankton, crushed flakes, baby brine shrimp, cyclops\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Region\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTop\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroup Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGroup of 10+\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Natural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCyprichromis leptosoma is endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The Mpulungu variant comes from the southern tip of the lake near Zambia. In the wild, this species forms large schools in open water above rocky substrates, feeding on plankton. It is one of the few pelagic (open-water) cichlids in Lake Tanganyika.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Setup \u0026amp; Water Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 200 litres for a group of 10 or more. Maintain water temperature between 24–27°C with a pH of 7.8–9.0 and hard water of 10–25 dGH. The tank should have plenty of open swimming space at the top, with rock formations below for bottom-dwelling tank mates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species is an omnivore that feeds on plankton in the wild. Offer crushed flakes, baby brine shrimp, cyclops, and fine-grade cichlid pellets. Feed small amounts several times daily to mimic their natural grazing behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatible Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood companions include other Tanganyika cichlids, Synodontis petricola, and shell-dwellers. Avoid housing with aggressive Mbuna and large predatory fish. You might also consider the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tropical-fish-for-sale-uk\"\u003eKitumba Jumbo Sardine Cichlid\u003c\/a\u003e or the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tropical-fish-for-sale-uk\"\u003eXenotilapia Ochrogenys Kigoma\u003c\/a\u003e from our collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Buy from Tropical Fish Co?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt Tropical Fish Co, every fish is carefully selected and shipped with care across the UK. We offer live arrival guarantee, expert advice, and competitive prices. Order your Mpulungu Sardine Cichlid today and enjoy next-day delivery to your door.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tropical Fish Co","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57446004490575,"sku":"N838","price":34.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1007\/1408\/6735\/files\/cyprichromis-leptosoma-livua-blue-o-natural-aquarium-n838.webp?v=1777850895","url":"https:\/\/tropical-fish-co.myshopify.com\/products\/cyprichromis-leptosoma-livua-blue-orchid","provider":"Tropical Fish Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}