All fish / Cichlidae

Ectodus descampsii

Ectodus descampsii

Also known as descamp's strange-tooth cichlid, ectodus, ectodus descampsi, descampsi cichlid, ectodus sp. kigoma

A slim, silvery sand-dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika, with males showing yellow fins and a striking black spot on the dorsal fin. It sifts sand for food and is kept for its gentle nature and interesting behaviour in a Tanganyikan community.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more, ideally one male to several females

Diet

Omnivore: small sinking pellets, frozen brine shrimp, mysis, daphnia and cyclops

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika (Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania, Zambia)

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder; the male digs a crater in the sand where spawning takes place and the female then carries the eggs and fry for around three weeks. It breeds fairly readily in a well-kept tank with fine sand and a group of females.

Good to know

Needs fine soft sand and hard, alkaline water; it is timid and does poorly with boisterous Mbuna or aggressive Tanganyikans.