Xenotalapia bathyphilus

Xenotalapia bathyphilus 

There is no common name for the Xenotalapia, so we all have to learn to say xenotalapia bathyphilus every time we talk to our exporters .  All Xenotalapia come from Lake Tanganyika and they are sand sifters. Keep a little sand or small gravel in the aquarium and they will be happy campers. In fact they will look like they are playing in the sand as they search for food. Xenotalapia will find a cave or rocky area to make their home. Though territorial the fish are not large and do well with other African cichlids. These cichlids are maternal mouth brooders and the moms have distinct large mouths – for sifting sand as well as rearing young. These are JUMPERS!