Yellow Sand Cichlid
Xenotilapia flavipinnis
A sand-dwelling Tanganyikan cichlid with remarkable biparental mouthbrooding teamwork.
About
The Yellow Sand Cichlid (Xenotilapia flavipinnis) is a slender, soft-bottomed specialist from Lake Tanganyika, where it congregates over sandy substrates in loose schools. Despite being listed as aggressive in some references, this fish is actually one of the gentler Tanganyikans in mixed company. The territorial intensity is really directed at conspecifics during spawning rather than at other species in general. Avoid pairing it with rowdy mbuna or any fish that will out-compete it at feeding time. Better companions include Cyprichromis, Paracyprichromis, and calmer Lamprologus relatives. Keep a group of six to ten individuals, as this species is genuinely gregarious outside of breeding season and does poorly as a lone pair, which tends to result in squabbling. When a pair does bond and split from the group to spawn, they coordinate in a way that's rare even among mouthbrooders: the female incubates the eggs for roughly ten days, then passes the entire brood to the male, who carries the fry for another week and a half before releasing them into a defended territory. Fry that drift into a neighboring pair's space may actually be adopted rather than attacked, which is a neat wrinkle. Water quality is non-negotiable with this species. It is noticeably sensitive to declining conditions, so a consistent maintenance schedule is essential. An intermediate-level fish that rewards patient, attentive keepers.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Yellow Sand Cichlid
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Yellow Sand Cichlid get?
- The Yellow Sand Cichlid reaches about 2–4" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Yellow Sand Cichlid need?
- A minimum of 18 gallons is recommended for the Yellow Sand Cichlid.
- What water parameters does the Yellow Sand Cichlid need?
- The Yellow Sand Cichlid does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 7.5–9.5, hardness around 8–25 dGH.
- Is the Yellow Sand Cichlid aggressive?
- The Yellow Sand Cichlid is semi-aggressive. It can work in a community with careful tankmate choices and enough space.
- What does the Yellow Sand Cichlid eat?
- The Yellow Sand Cichlid is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Yellow Sand Cichlid live?
- With good care, the Yellow Sand Cichlid typically lives 5-8 years.