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Yellow-Cheeked Sand Cichlid

Xenotilapia ochrogenys

Freshwater Lake Tanganyika, Africa

A delicate, shimmering sand-dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika. Males display subtle pastels and yellow facial markings over a spotless sandy floor. They sift fine sand endlessly for micro-organisms and must have deep, powdery substrate to thrive, alongside spotless, stable, hard and alkaline water.

11 cm adult length, drawn to scale. slim body.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 6 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 11 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 250 L, at least 120 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 20 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 2 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 24 to 27 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 7.8 to 9 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 10 to 25, KH 10 to 20 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Medium Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Moderate Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size At least 6, ideally 10 Kept alone or in small numbers it hides, fades or turns on tankmates.
Temperament Peaceful Territorial: weak.
Swims in Near the bottom Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 7 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Experienced keepers only A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.
Jumps Yes Keep the tank covered.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Yellow-Cheeked Sand Cichlid is an micro feeder that swims in the lowest part of the tank. It is safe with plants. Give it some cover. It digs, so anchor plants and keep hard rock off loose sand.

Tankmates

Works with

No close matches in the data. Check the pair tool.

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.