Common Name - Blue Flash, Neon Head
Scientific Name - Cyprichromis leptosoma Mpulungu
Family – Cichlidae
Origin - Mpulungu, Zambia, Lake Tanganyika
Size – Up to 3.5 in
First discovered - Boulenger, 1898
Nutrition – In the wild the blue flash feeds on plankton and small crustaceans found in the open water, in
captivity it will accept high quality commercial foods, small frozen foods such as brine shrimp and mysis
are ideal for this species.
Behavior - Peaceful
Maintenance and care – The Cyprichromis leptosoma Mpulungu should be kept in a 50 gallon fish tank;
they do best in schools of at least 12 or more. It is not recommended to keep it with aggressive fish or with
large fish. Like its entire genus the blue flash requires plenty of swimming space. Although they don’t live
in the rocks like other cichlids they need these rocks as a shelter. They are talented jumpers so a
secure lid is a must.
Water Parameters – Temperature: 77F-79F, pH: 8.2- 8.8
Breeding - Maternal Mouthbrooder, the spawning takes place out in the open water and the female will
pick up the eggs immediately. The male will then fertilizes the eggs. Incubation time approximately
three weeks, fry is developed enough to be free swimming as soon as they are released. The fry can be
fed with Daphnia, newly hatched brine shrimp, fry foods and crushed flake food.
