Lethrinops albus "Kande Island" Cichlid

Lethrinops albus “Kande Island”: a sand-sifting Malawi cichlid

This fish is sold as Lethrinops albus “Kande Island”, a sand-dwelling Lake Malawi cichlid. “Kande Island” is the form name used for this offer; it does not establish where an individual fish was collected or bred. Unlike the rock-dwelling mbuna, it feeds by taking mouthfuls of sand and sifting out small invertebrates. Mature males are striking: a blue-violet face, a yellow-gold body and red-edged dorsal, anal and tail fins. Young fish and females are silvery and plain, and the male colours develop as the fish mature.

Wikipedia gives a maximum length of about 16.5 cm for the species, so plan a large aquarium for the adults.

What you receive

Choose 3–4 cm, 4–5 cm, 5.5–7 cm or 7–9 cm, then the quantity. One quantity is one live fish; sex is not guaranteed. Small fish are silvery juveniles — the blue, yellow and red male colours shown develop as males mature. A size that is out of stock this week cannot be added to the basket.

Aquarium and water

Give a group a long aquarium of about 150 cm (roughly 400 litres) with fine sand over most of the base, so the fish can sift naturally, and a few rocks for landmarks. Keep hard, alkaline Lake Malawi water — 24–26°C and pH 7.5–8.4 — with strong filtration and regular water changes; OATA’s Malawi guidance covers the chemistry and stocking.

Feeding

A carnivore that sifts for small invertebrates: feed sinking cichlid pellets with frozen brine shrimp, mysis and similar small foods. Avoid red meat.

Tank mates and behaviour

Keep with other peaceful sand-dwelling Malawi haplochromines and peacock cichlids of similar size. Avoid aggressive mbuna, which bully sand-sifters, and small community fish.

Follow the arrival sequence before releasing the fish

Tropical Fish Co’s delivery and Live Arrival Guarantee policy explains the packing and arrival procedure. Livestock is hand-bagged in pure oxygen and placed in an insulated poly box, with a heat pack when the weather calls for it. Someone must be at the address to receive the parcel because live animals cannot be left unattended.

1. Receive the parcel in person and start filming before opening it. Show the parcel still sealed with the outer box visible.
2. Open the parcel in one continuous take. Keep filming until the fish can be seen inside the sealed bag before anything is disturbed.
3. Float the bag for 20–30 minutes so the temperature equalises slowly.
4. Do not pour the bag water into the aquarium. Release the fish without adding transport water to the established system.

If a Live Arrival Guarantee claim is required, contact us on the same day with the order number and the continuous unboxing video. Before the parcel arrives, confirm that ammonia and nitrite read zero and that the aquarium matches the water values on this page.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my young fish silver?

Juveniles and females are silvery. The blue face, yellow body and red fin edges shown in the photo belong to mature males and develop as they grow.

How big does it get?

Wikipedia gives a maximum of about 16.5 cm for Lethrinops albus, so plan an aquarium of about 150 cm.

What substrate does it need?

Fine sand over most of the base. It feeds by sifting sand for small invertebrates.

Can it live with mbuna?

It is better with peaceful sand-dwelling haps and peacocks; aggressive mbuna bully sand-sifters.

Public references

• Wikipedia: Lethrinops albus — species, habitat, feeding and size.
• OATA: How to look after Lake Malawi cichlids — hard alkaline water, rockwork, stocking and feeding guidance for Malawi cichlids.
• RSPCA aquarium environment guidance — biological filtration and the aquarium nitrogen cycle.

Compare Malawi cichlid care

The separate Lwanda Peacock Cichlid guide offers another Malawi cichlid care comparison. Read each species’ requirements and behaviour before deciding whether it belongs in your setup.