Description

Malawi Sand Diver (Fossorochromis rostratus):

Care Guide:

• • Scientific Name: Fossorochromis rostratus
  • Common Name: Malawi Sand Diver, Rostratus Cichlid
  • Origin: Lake Malawi (East Africa)
  • Adult Size: Males reach 25–30 cm (10–12 inches); females remain slightly smaller at 20–25 cm.
  • Lifespan: 8–10 years
  • Diet: Omnivorous / Sifter
  • Temperament: Generally peaceful for a large Hap, but territorial during spawning.

• • Temperature: 24°C – 28°C
  • pH Range: 7.8 – 8.6
  • Water Hardness: 10–25 dGH
  • Nitrate Levels: Highly sensitive to organic waste; keep nitrates strictly below 20 mg/L.

• • Substrate: A thick layer of fine, soft aquarium sand (at least 5–8 cm deep) is mandatory. When startled, this fish will rapidly dive headfirst into the sand to hide. Coarse gravel or sharp substrates will cause severe physical trauma and infections.
  • Decor: Arrange rockwork primarily along the back and sides of the aquarium, leaving a massive, open sandy floor space. Ensure rocks are placed directly on the glass bottom rather than on top of the sand, as their digging will cause rock piles to collapse.

• • Primary Food: High-quality sinking cichlid pellets and large flakes.
  • Live/Frozen Food: Mysis shrimp, krill, chopped prawns, and brine shrimp.
  • Dietary Note: While they require protein, include some spirulina or vegetable matter to maintain optimal digestive health. Avoid high-fat foods or mammalian meat (like beef heart).

• • Social Structure: Best kept in a harem of one male to three or more females. Multiple males will fight aggressively unless housed in an exceptionally vast aquarium.
  • Temperament: Remarkably placid for a cichlid of its size, making it unsuitable for tanks with hyper-aggressive Mbuna cichlids.
  • Suitable Tankmates: Other large, peaceful Lake Malawi Haps (such as Cyrtocara moorii or Nimbochromis species) and larger Aulonocara (Peacock cichlids).
  • Avoid: Small fish that can easily fit into its large mouth, and overly aggressive rock-dwelling cichlids that may bully it.

• Spawning: The dominant male will clear a large pit in the sand to court females. The female deposits eggs in the pit, immediately picks them up in her mouth, and snaps at the male’s anal fin to trigger fertilisation.
• Incubation: The female holds a massive brood of up to 100 or more eggs in her buccal cavity for approximately 21–28 days.
• Fry Care: Once released, the fry are quite large and will immediately accept crushed flakes and baby brine shrimp. The female may offer protection to the fry for several days after their initial release.

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