Rostratus sifter cichlid
Cribroheros rostratus
Also known as Amphilophus rostratus
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–84°F
- 24–29°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.2
- Adult size
- 8.7 in
- 22 cm
- Minimum tank
- 106 gal
- 400 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Substrate spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Nicaraguan great lakes and rivers
Overview
The Rostratus sifter cichlid is a big but gentle Central American cichlid that sifts sand for its food. It is a fish for a keeper with a little experience.
Did you know
The Rostratus sifter cichlid's long snout is a feeding tool, not decoration. It lets the fish mine a deeper layer of sand than its shorter-nosed cousins can reach. The same snout gives the species its name.
Caring for the Rostratus sifter cichlid
Give a Rostratus sifter cichlid at least 106 gal (400 L), with a deep bed of soft sand to sift. Leave open swimming space, and add some rounded rock and wood.
Keep the water neutral to hard, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.2. It feeds by taking mouthfuls of sand and sorting out the edible scraps. Feed sinking pellets and frozen foods that settle to the floor.
It is peaceful for its size but turns territorial when breeding, so keep it singly or as a pair. Choose sturdy tank mates that are not small enough to look like food.
It is a biparental substrate spawner. A pair lays its eggs on a cleaned surface and guards the brood, and breeding is of medium difficulty.
Good to know
Cribroheros rostratus is a cichlid in the family Cichlidae, once placed in Amphilophus. Its drawn-out, pointed snout is the giveaway that sets it apart from its blunt-faced relatives.
In the wild
The Rostratus sifter cichlid lives in the great lakes of Nicaragua and the connected Atlantic-slope rivers. It works the fine volcanic sand there for food, in warm water that runs from neutral to fairly hard.
Common questions
What size tank does a Rostratus sifter cichlid need?
A Rostratus sifter cichlid needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Rostratus sifter cichlid need?
A Rostratus sifter cichlid is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.
What does a Rostratus sifter cichlid eat?
A Rostratus sifter cichlid takes mouthfuls of sand and sorts out the edible scraps. Feed it sinking pellets and frozen foods that settle to the floor.
How big does a Rostratus sifter cichlid get?
An adult Rostratus sifter cichlid reaches about 8.7 in (22 cm).
How does a Rostratus sifter cichlid breed?
Rostratus sifter cichlids are biparental substrate spawners. A pair lays its eggs on a cleaned surface and guards the brood, and breeding is of medium difficulty.
Related species
9.1 in (23 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Robertson's cichlid
Cribroheros robertsoni
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6.3 in (16 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Longfin sifter cichlid
Cribroheros longimanus
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6.3 in (16 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Rhytisma cichlid
Cribroheros rhytisma
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