Altus lethrinops

Care at a glance

Overview

This is a peaceful, sand-sifting Malawi cichlid that works the bottom, scooping sand and filtering out small invertebrates. It is a sociable fish best kept as a group, ideally one male with several females, which spreads out his attention and brings out natural behavior. It is not a fighter and will not tolerate rough company, so keep it only with other calm, sand-loving Malawi cichlids and leave the boisterous mbuna out. Give it a deep bed of fine sand it can actually dig in, plus open swimming space. Feed sinking pellets and frozen foods such as bloodworm, cyclops, and brine shrimp. A tank of at least 300 liters suits a small group.

In the wild

It is found only in Lake Malawi in East Africa, where it forages over sandy floors on a deeper, taller body than the flatter sand species around it. Recreate the rift-lake conditions with hard, alkaline water around pH 7.5 to 8.5 and a steady 24 to 27 C. The key feature is a thick layer of fine sand over the base, with a few scattered rocks for landmarks rather than a full rock wall.

Good to know

A member of the cichlid family, it reaches around 16 cm and was described by the ichthyologist Trewavas in 1931. Its name altus is Latin for tall or high, marking a deeper-bodied profile than its sand-dwelling relatives. Like other Lake Malawi cichlids it is a maternal mouthbrooder, the female holding eggs and fry in her mouth, and it is of moderate breeding difficulty.

Did you know

The genus Lethrinops is a group of dedicated sand-sifters. They take in mouthfuls of the lake floor and pass the grit back out through the gills, keeping any small creatures that were hidden in it.

Tank mates

Altus lethrinops is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.

• Chrysonotus utaka

  Copadichromis chrysonotus

  Freshwater

  6.3 in (16 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
• Atripinnis hap

  Copadichromis atripinnis

  Freshwater

  5.9 in (15 cm)70 gal (265 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Malawi eyebiter

  Dimidiochromis compressiceps

  Freshwater

  9.8 in (25 cm)66 gal (250 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Star sapphire cichlid

  Placidochromis phenochilus

  Freshwater

  7.9 in (20 cm)79 gal (300 L)77–82°F (25–28°C)
• Heterodon hap

  Otopharynx heterodon

  Freshwater

  5.1 in (13 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
• Günther's peacock

  Aulonocara guentheri

  Freshwater

  5.9 in (15 cm)74 gal (280 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

Related species

• White lethrinops

  Lethrinops albus

  Freshwater

  6.3 in (16 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
• Smallmouth lethrinops

  Lethrinops microstoma

  Freshwater

  5.7 in (14.5 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Sulphur-head hap

  Otopharynx lithobates

  Freshwater

  6.3 in (16 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
• Altifrons cichlid

  Cribroheros altifrons

  Freshwater

  6.3 in (16 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)
• Four-spot otopharynx

  Otopharynx tetrastigma

  Freshwater

  6.3 in (16 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
• Intermedius sand hap

  Tramitichromis intermedius

  Freshwater

  6.3 in (16 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)