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Greenface sandsifter (Lethrinops furcifer) — Cichlidae

Greenface sandsifter

Lethrinops furcifer
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Greenface sandsifter (Lethrinops furcifer) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
19.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The greenface sandsifter is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 20 cm and usually lives in shallow water over open sand. With its protrusible mouth it takes up sand which it sifts, and it feeds mainly on insect larvae. Like most Lake Malawi cichlids it is a maternal mouthbrooder. It is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Greenface sandsifter?

The Greenface sandsifter has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Greenface sandsifter live?

The Greenface sandsifter lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Greenface sandsifter get?

The Greenface sandsifter grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Greenface sandsifter dangerous to humans?

No, the Greenface sandsifter is harmless to humans.

Is the Greenface sandsifter edible?

The Greenface sandsifter is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Groengezicht-zandzeefcichlide verified
English name
Greenface sandsifter verified
Scientific name
Lethrinops furcifer
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Lethrinops green face; Lethrinops rounded head verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Lethrinops

More from the family Cichlidae

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