Care
The Yellow Sand Cichlid is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it is found in open water over sandy substrates. Here, these gregarious fish gather in large shoals to feed on tiny invertebrates living in the substrate, by sifting through mouthfuls of sand. The aquarium that houses this peaceful, shoaling species should be at least 3ft long, with a good amount of filtration, water movement and oxygenation. The best choice of substrate would be aquatic sand of a fine grade and which is not sharp - that way the fish can search for food naturally amongst the substrate and there is no danger of them damaging their gills on coarse particles. Rocks should be used to create a few small outcrops and caves, but do also leave a generous expanse of sand. Hardy plants could also be incorporated into the aquascape if desired, but choose species such as Anubias and Java Fern that can be tied onto decor above the substrate. These gentle cichlids are best maintained in large groups (10+) in a species-only aquarium, but, in larger quarters, can be kept as part of a Tanganyikan community with fish of similar size and peaceful temperament, such as Cyprichromis and Paracyprichromis. They should never be kept with belligerent species, otherwise they may hide away and refuse to feed. If a breeding pair forms within the group, they can become much more territorial, and it might be best to move them to a tank of their own at this stage (although in larger quarters this may not cause any major problems). Yellow Sand Cichlids are very intolerant of deteriorating water conditions, so ensure that small partial water changes are carried out on a frequent basis.
Feeding
Offer a variety of small meaty frozen foods such as daphnia, baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii), vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, cyclops etc, along with a good quality flake and micropellets.
Breeding
Bi-parental mouthbrooder. When ready to spawn, the pair will select a territory (usually just an expanse of sand) and defend this against intruders. The female will clean an area of substrate prior to depositing a few yellow-orange eggs, before the male quickly moves in and fertilises them. The female then takes the fertilised eggs up into her mouth, and the process repeated until she is spent of eggs. She will mouthbrood the eggs for 7-11 days, before transferring the newly hatched fry to the male, who continues incubation for a further week or so. The free-swimming fry, with just remnants of yolk sac left, will then be released within the territory and can be offered baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii) or crushed flake. Both parents will guard the young for several weeks, with the fry seeking refuge in the mouth of the male if any danger is perceived.
