Malawi sand diver
Fossorochromis rostratus
Also known as Sand diver, Rostratus, Malawi sand digger
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 7.8–8.6
- Adult size
- 11 in
- 28 cm
- Minimum tank
- 119 gal
- 450 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Open sandy floors of Lake Malawi in East Africa, away from heavy rock.
Overview
This big active fish needs a long tank of at least 450 liters with deep soft sand for sifting and diving. Water should be hard and alkaline at 24 to 28 C, pH 7.8 to 8.6. It is peaceful for its size and does best with other large calm Malawi cichlids in roomy tanks. Feed sinking pellets and frozen foods, and give it real sand rather than gravel to feed and behave normally.
In the wild
The sand diver lives over the wide sandy floors of Lake Malawi rather than in the rocks. It takes big mouthfuls of sand, sifts out insect larvae and small animals, and spits the clean grains back out. When startled it dives headfirst into the sand to hide.
Good to know
Fossorochromis rostratus is one of the largest sand dwelling Malawi cichlids and is a maternal mouthbrooder. Dominant males show a patchwork of blue and orange while females and young wear blotchy camouflage. Its habit of burying itself in sand gives the genus its name, which refers to digging.
Did you know
A frightened sand diver really does dive, plunging nose first straight into the sand and vanishing in an instant.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Malawi sand diver is a mostly peaceful, social 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.
Common questions
What size tank does a Malawi sand diver need?
A Malawi sand diver needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Malawi sand diver need?
A Malawi sand diver is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.8–8.6.
How big does a Malawi sand diver get?
An adult Malawi sand diver reaches about 11 in (28 cm).
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