{"product_id":"cyprichromis-microlepidotus-bulu-point","title":"Black Smallscale Cyprichromis (Cyprichromis microlepidotus «Black»)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Black Smallscale Cyprichromis (\u003cem\u003eCyprichromis microlepidotus\u003c\/em\u003e «Black») is a pelagic schooling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika. Closely related to \u003cem\u003eC. leptosoma\u003c\/em\u003e but slightly more robust, this species swims in the open water column and displays remarkable schooling behaviour in large groups. The black variant features attractive dark-scaled colouration.\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 microlepidotus\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\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\u003ePlankton, 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\u003eEndemic to Lake Tanganyika, East Africa. \u003cem\u003eCyprichromis microlepidotus\u003c\/em\u003e occupy the open water above rocky reefs, forming large schools. The species name refers to their distinctively small scales. Maternal mouthbrooder that spawns in open water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Setup \u0026amp; Water Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 200 litres with ample open swimming space and vertical height. Maintain water between 24–27°C with pH 7.8–9.0 and hardness 10–25 dGH. Keep in groups of 10 or more for natural schooling behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOmnivore. Offer plankton, crushed flakes, baby brine shrimp, and cyclops. Feed small portions multiple times daily to mimic their continuous grazing in the wild.\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 aggressive Mbuna and large predatory fish. Consider the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tropical-fish-for-sale-uk\"\u003eBlue Mpimbwe Humphead Cichlid\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tropical-fish-for-sale-uk\"\u003eKasai Smallscale Cyprichromis\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tropical-fish-for-sale-uk\"\u003eJumbo Yellow Sardine Cichlid\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. Live arrival guarantee, expert advice, and competitive prices. Order today.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tropical Fish Co","offers":[{"title":"4-5 cm","offer_id":57446046433615,"sku":"1322","price":33.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"XL","offer_id":57560320966991,"sku":"N128","price":59.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"5-6 cm","offer_id":57560320999759,"sku":"N139","price":35.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1007\/1408\/6735\/files\/tropical-fish-for-sale-uk-black-smallscale-cyprichromis-hero-driftwood-o346.webp?v=1776714530","url":"https:\/\/tropical-fish-co.myshopify.com\/products\/cyprichromis-microlepidotus-bulu-point","provider":"Tropical Fish Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}