Home · Cichlidae · Slendertooth sand cichlid
Slendertooth sand cichlid (Lethrinops leptodon) — Cichlidae

Slendertooth sand cichlid

Lethrinops leptodon
Family: Cichlidae

The Slendertooth sand cichlid (Lethrinops leptodon) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The slendertooth sand cichlid is a cichlid from Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, silvery body; dominant males flush bluish in courtship. As a bottom-dweller it sifts mouthfuls of sand over sand flats, filtering small invertebrates and insect larvae with fine gill rakers; males build a nest pit in the sand. It is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slendertooth sand cichlid?

The Slendertooth sand cichlid has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Slendertooth sand cichlid live?

The Slendertooth sand cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Slendertooth sand cichlid get?

The Slendertooth sand cichlid grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Slendertooth sand cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Slendertooth sand cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Slendertooth sand cichlid edible?

Yes, the Slendertooth sand cichlid is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slanktand-zandcichlide sourced
English name
Slendertooth sand cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Lethrinops leptodon
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Lethrinops

More from the family Cichlidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →