Remarks: Cyprichromis leptosoma Mpimbwe Black Bee are a locality of Cyprichromis leptosoma with some truly striking coloration. When in breeding dress, males have an electric blue and black body, a yellow head and caudal fin, and a dorsal and anal fin that are pitch black. When not displaying, they tend to be more of a silver color like the females.

Cyprichromis leptosoma are a mild-mannered cichlid from Lake Tanganyika that exhibit shoaling behaviors higher in the water column. This makes them excellent tankmates for shell- or cave-dwelling cichlids, which rarely venture higher into open water. They act as a relaxing agent for other species as well, much like tetras do with dwarf cichlids – if the Cyprichromis are swimming in the open, it must be “safe.”

Cyprichromis are long and slender and may be considered the “sardines of Lake Tanganyika.” They occur all over the lake and have a wide variety of color patterns. They are maternal mouthbrooders and in the wild, females will spawn all at once with the dominant males in the area. Spawns are typically 5-20 fry as their mouths are small.

As these are social fish, we recommend keeping these fish in groups of 6 or more, 10 or more being better. Their high activity also makes us recommend not keeping them in tanks that are not at least 4ft long.

Due to the sensitive nature of these fish, DOA claims will only be honored if the fish are in their sealed bags. No exceptions will be made for losses that occur after opening the bags.