Cyphotilapia frontosa - "7-stripe"

[Ron]

And a couple with the flash:

[Super Turtleman]

What size tank (dimensions) and what size are the fish? The tank looks really long. Nice!   

[Ron]

The dominant male is about 6" and the rest a bit smaller, say 3.5"-5.5". Right now I've got 9, but I'll probably get rid of an additional male or two since I've got at least 4 left still and a couple I'm not sure about. I haven't vented any, but at this point I'm only convinced that 3 are females.

The tank is ~72"x18"x18". The lighting is a single 4' 50/50 T12, which leaves the corners darker and IMO, makes the tank look longer/bigger because you don't see an abrupt ending.

[Regalblue]

Nice Fronts Ron

[Ron]

Thanks. Ironically I've got more than just fronts in there, but none of the others beside the bristlenose seem to show up in the photos. Apparently the trio of larger clown loaches and trio of S. eupterus were hiding out while I was taking photos.

Overall it's a nice combination and my choice for the only tank I have outside of the "fishroom".

[GrizzlysDad]

Sweet tank Ron.

[Ron]

Sweet tank Ron.

Thanks!

[Michael Zebrowski]

Very nice set-up; thought of adding black gravel and rocks to showcase my Front's blue colors, but your tank with white gravel might change my mind.

Mike

[Ron]

Thanks Mike. I've always gone white gravel with darker rockwork for all my tanks because I think it looks most natural. IME the best way to highlight blue fish is with an actinic light component, but I prefer it mixed with something else so everything in the tank isn't blue. Thus my 50/50 bulb. I tried a second bulb T12 briefly, but 2 was just too much light for the fronts (and synos, etc).

[SSP]

Dig the Ecosystem you've got established in there, I can see the Algae growing on the rocks w/o enlarging the pics, do your Fronts consume it at all? They look very happy in there, Nice bars on the whole group

[Ron]

Dig the Ecosystem you've got established in there, I can see the Algae growing on the rocks w/o enlarging the pics, do your Fronts consume it at all? They look very happy in there, Nice bars on the whole group

Thanks. The front's don't eat the algae, but I have some bristlenose plecos that feed off of it. I think algae gives home aquariums a more realistic look. It probably uses some of the available nitrates too when growing, but nothing significant enough to allow for a lengthier duration between water changes.

[SKISWETPETS]

The tank looks great... Really nice lookin fish..

[Frontboy7]

Grand set up Ron....and thanks for passing the knowledge regarding the lighting. 

[PaulineMi]

Your set up and fish look great.  Very nice.

[GVsailor]

Awesome setup!

Do you do anything to encourage the algae to grow?  I have tried in my tanks and it always gets eaten.