Moderate
Julidochromis regani Zambia
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 150L
£15.99
A striking, sand-sifting Malawi cichlid that brings active behavior and impressive size to a spacious African cichlid aquarium. Moderate care, semi-aggressive. 23-28C, pH 7.5-8.8.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Fossorochromis rostratus
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A striking, sand-sifting Malawi cichlid that brings active behavior and impressive size to a spacious African cichlid aquarium. Moderate care, semi-aggressive. 23-28C, pH 7.5-8.8.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
24–27°C · pH 7.8–9 · 150L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 200L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 200L
24–26°C · pH 7.5–8.6 · 150L
Cichlids are one of the most diverse fish families in the hobby. From tiny apistogrammas to massive oscars, this guide covers the basics of keeping them well.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Fosorochromis rostratus is a large, impressive sand-dwelling cichlid from Lake Malawi, known for its digging habits and the striking metallic colour of dominant males. A powerful, intelligent Rift-lake predator, it is a genuine statement fish for the spacious, well-filtered Malawi aquarium and a favourite among serious cichlid keepers.
Reaching around 24cm, dominant males develop shimmering blue and green iridescence over a powerful, deep body, while females and subdominant fish are a camouflaged silver-brown that helps them blend into the sand. It has a large mouth and a robust, streamlined build suited to hunting and excavating.
This is a big-tank fish: provide at least 600 litres with a deep, open sandy bed it can dig, sturdy rockwork at the back and hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.8) at 23–28°C. Powerful, oversized filtration and generous water changes keep pace with a large, messy cichlid.
Semi-aggressive and territorial, especially when breeding, it is a maternal mouthbrooder that sifts and excavates sand in search of food. House it with other large, robust Malawi cichlids in a spacious tank, giving plenty of floor area and sightline breaks to spread out aggression.
| Great tank mates | Best avoided |
|---|---|
| Large robust Malawi haps | Small mbuna or community fish |
| Other big-tank cichlids | Timid tankmates |
| Synodontis catfish | Crowded tanks |
| Fish too large to be eaten | Anything bite-sized |
A carnivore, it takes quality cichlid pellets, frozen and fresh meaty foods such as mysis, krill and prawn. Feed to appetite in modest portions and vary the menu to keep males in full colour, avoiding an excess of fatty foods that Rift-lake cichlids handle poorly.
Give it a deep, soft sand bed rather than gravel — this natural sand-sifter is far more relaxed, colourful and interesting to watch when it can dig and forage the way it does in the lake.
Every Fosorochromis rostratus is hand-selected and quarantined before sale, then packed in oxygenated bags with insulation and heat packs when needed and sent by tracked, live-animal courier. Your order is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee, so it reaches you safely anywhere in the UK.
