TankBud

Blackchin sand diver

Xenotilapia melanogenys

Also known as Enantiopus melanogenys, Sand diver cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Blackchin sand diver (Xenotilapia melanogenys)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.8–9.0
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
106 gal
400 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Tanganyika

Overview

The blackchin sand diver is a gentle Tanganyikan cichlid that spends its whole life in shoals over the open floor. It is a fish for experienced keepers.

Did you know

At spawning time, male blackchin sand divers gather in one place and display side by side. This display ground is called a lek, and the females move through it to choose a mate.

Caring for the blackchin sand diver

A proper school needs floor space, so give blackchin sand divers at least 106 gal (400 L) with a long footprint. Lay a broad, deep bed of soft, fine sand with open water and little or no rock. That lets the school move and gives the males room for their nests.

Keep the water hard, alkaline and spotlessly clean, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.8 to 9.0. Feed small foods often, such as fine sinking pellets, frozen cyclops, mysis and brine shrimp.

It is a true schooling fish, so plan on a group of at least eight to a dozen. A lone fish or a tiny group frets and does poorly. It is peaceful and easily stressed, so skip rough or boisterous tank mates altogether. A species tank is often the best choice.

Males build crater-shaped nests in the sand at spawning time, and the females are maternal mouthbrooders that carry the eggs and fry. Breeding it is hard.

Good to know

The blackchin sand diver is a member of the cichlid family. For many years it was known as Enantiopus melanogenys, before it moved to the genus Xenotilapia.

In the wild

In Lake Tanganyika, the blackchin sand diver forages over open sand, picking small invertebrates from the substrate.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The blackchin sand diver is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a blackchin sand diver need?

A blackchin sand diver needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a blackchin sand diver need?

A blackchin sand diver is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.

What does a blackchin sand diver eat?

A blackchin sand diver eats small foods offered often, such as fine sinking pellets, frozen cyclops, mysis and brine shrimp.

How big does a blackchin sand diver get?

An adult blackchin sand diver reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

Does a blackchin sand diver need a group?

Yes. A blackchin sand diver is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a blackchin sand diver breed?

Male blackchin sand divers build crater-shaped nests in the sand at spawning time. The females are maternal mouthbrooders that carry the eggs and fry, and breeding them is hard.

Related species