TankBud

Praeorbitalis lethrinops

Taeniolethrinops praeorbitalis

Also known as Lethrinops praeorbitalis, Big-dig sand hap

FreshwaterFish

Praeorbitalis lethrinops (Taeniolethrinops praeorbitalis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
11.8 in
30 cm
Minimum tank
119 gal
450 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi

Overview

Praeorbitalis lethrinops is one of the larger sand-sifting cichlids of Lake Malawi, a mild giant rather than a bully. It suits a keeper with some experience and plenty of room.

Did you know

Praeorbitalis lethrinops feeds a crowd when it digs. As it turns over the sand, smaller cichlids gather to snatch the food it exposes. They follow the big fish through the furrows like birds trailing a plow.

Caring for the Praeorbitalis lethrinops

Praeorbitalis lethrinops truly digs, so give it a deep bed of soft sand in at least 119 gal (450 L). Leave a broad, open sand area with only light rockwork. It drives its long snout into the sand and plows furrows as it sifts out insects and small invertebrates.

Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Run strong filtration to cope with the sand it constantly stirs up. Feed sinking pellets, frozen foods and a little green, and make sure food reaches the floor before other fish grab it.

Keep Praeorbitalis lethrinops in a group, where it is happiest. It stays calm with other peaceful lake fish.

It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding it is of moderate difficulty.

Good to know

Taeniolethrinops praeorbitalis is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae. Its species name refers to the enlarged region in front of the eye, which gives it a long, deep face. It has been farm-raised for the hobby, and it also goes by Lethrinops praeorbitalis and big-dig sand hap.

In the wild

Praeorbitalis lethrinops ranges over open sand flats across Lake Malawi. It is often found in shallow bays such as Senga Bay, where it feeds by sifting the substrate.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Praeorbitalis lethrinops 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Praeorbitalis lethrinops need?

A Praeorbitalis lethrinops needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Praeorbitalis lethrinops need?

A Praeorbitalis lethrinops is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does a Praeorbitalis lethrinops eat?

A Praeorbitalis lethrinops eats sinking pellets, frozen foods and a little green. It also sifts insects and small invertebrates out of the sand.

How big does a Praeorbitalis lethrinops get?

An adult Praeorbitalis lethrinops reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).

How does a Praeorbitalis lethrinops breed?

Praeorbitalis lethrinops is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding it is of moderate difficulty.

Related species