{"product_id":"lethrinops-lethrinus-lethrinops-lethrinus","title":"Lethrinops lethrinus | Lethrinops lethrinus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA classic \u003cem\u003eLethrinops\u003c\/em\u003e sand-sifter from Lake Malawi, with dominant males glowing metallic blue and flushed with red-edged fins. Peaceful by cichlid standards, active and endlessly busy at the bottom, it makes a lovely lower-level mover for a Malawi hap community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLethrinops lethrinus\u003c\/em\u003e is endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, living over sandy and intermediate zones in hard, alkaline, mineral-rich water. It spends its day working the sand for tiny invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA streamlined hap-type cichlid. Dominant males colour up with metallic blue on the head and body and red or orange highlights in the fins; females and subdominant males are a plainer silvery-brown. Males grow larger than females.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMild-mannered for a Malawi cichlid, though males hold territory when breeding. Best kept in a group with one or more females per male, alongside other similarly tempered haps. Give plenty of open sand for its natural sifting behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA sand-sifting carnivore that filters mouthfuls of substrate for invertebrates. Offer quality cichlid pellets and flakes plus frozen mysis, brine shrimp and cyclops. A sandy substrate lets it feed naturally and keeps it in good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHard, alkaline, clean water and a soft sand substrate are key — sand allows the natural sifting behaviour that gravel prevents. Provide some rockwork for structure but keep plenty of open swimming space. Strong filtration and regular water changes keep it healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. After courtship over the sand the female holds the fertilised eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks, releasing free-swimming fry. A group with more females than males gives the best results.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLethrinops lethrinus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScarlet Fin Lethrinops\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 20 cm (males; females smaller)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMild; males territorial when breeding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (sand-sifting invertebrate feeder)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.6–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–20 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate keepers; Malawi hap community tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally yes — may disturb rooted plants while sifting sand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther peaceful-to-moderate Malawi haps and open-water cichlids of similar size, plus \u003cem\u003eSynodontis\u003c\/em\u003e catfish. Best in a sand-based Malawi community with room to swim.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery aggressive mbuna that will bully it, soft-water community fish, and any tankmate small enough to be eaten. Avoid gravel-only setups that prevent natural feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232781812003,"sku":"AA3476-S","price":33.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232781844771,"sku":"AA3476","price":38.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232781877539,"sku":"AA3476-L","price":43.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/lethrinops-lethrinus-lethrinops-lethrinus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}