Edit Xenotilapia flavipinnis
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Name
Scientific name
Xenotilapia flavipinnis
Described by
Not recorded
Family
Cichlidae
Summary
The yellow sand cichlid, Xenotilapia flavipinnis, is a bi-parental mouthbrooder endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where groups swim over sandy su…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
90mm, standard length
Tank size
Minimum length 75 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 23–27°C, pH 8–9.5
Hardness
8–25dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries
Not recorded
Supporting text
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika.
Habitat
The fish are found swimming in groups over sandy substrates in open water. When spawning, they retreat to rockier areas.
Aquarium size
75 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm30 ∗ 12 ∗ 12 in - ~68 litres~18 US gal.
Maintenance
The tank should have plenty of open floor space, with a substrate of sand to allow the fish to exhibit their natural behaviour. Gravel can become trapped in th…
Water conditions
Temperature: 23 – 27 °C73 – 81 °F pH: 8.0-9.5 Hardness: 8-25°H
Diet
In nature it is a micropredator, feeding chiefly on small invertebrates it finds by "sifting" mouthfuls of sand. In the aquarium it will accept most foods offe…
Behaviour and compatibility
A gentle and peace-loving species that will not compete well with more boisterous or vigorous fish. Do not keep it with mbuna. Good tankmates include some of t…
Sexual dimorphism
Not easy to sex. Male fish tend to be slightly more colourful than females. Examining the vents of the fish is the only reliable method of sexing, but this app…
Reproduction
Not too difficult. Bi-parental mouthbrooder. We suggest the purchase of a group of young fish and allowing these to pair off naturally. If kept as a single pai…
Notes
In nature, the pair bond formed by this species lasts only for the duration of the breeding season. However, in aquaria this bond can last much longer, with th…
References
References
No references