Breeding Cyphotilapia Frontosa is not as easy as some other Cichlid species because of the costs it incures. Buying a group of breeding Frontosa can be quite expensive and it is much cheaper to get them young, watch them grow and then try to spawn them. The breeding process itself is not that difficult. Sexual diphormism is not obvious. Females' hump is somewhat smaller than males but this should not be used as the only criteria for differentiation. Males are also usually larger. To successfully breed these fish, it is important to have a group of Frontosa Cichlids (harem spawners). 1 male for four or five females is the optimum ratio. Although some hobbyists have repoted using the 1 male for 2 female ratio in a 50 gallon tank, it is recommended to use a larger tank (at least 100 gallons). Males become active breeders when reaching 7" and females 5". The breeding cycle occurs approximately every 2 to 3 months.
The tank should be provided with rocks and flowerpots for the male to create his territorry. When ready to spawn, the female shows her attentions to the male who invites her in the place he chose for the spawning process to take place (usually a pit in the sand between rocks). No parade or foreplay are engaged. The male deposits his sperm in the chosen pit where the female releases her eggs. While the female releases her eggs, the male is responsible to defend their territorry. 50 to 100 eggs are released that hatche in 3 to 4 days. The female keep the eggs then the young fry in her mouth (mouthbreeders) and abandon them after approximately one month. The fry are then on their own. Females do not eat during the whole spawning process.