Home · Cichlidae · Short sand cichlid
Short sand cichlid (Tramitichromis brevis) — Cichlidae

Short sand cichlid

Tramitichromis brevis
Family: Cichlidae

The Short sand cichlid (Tramitichromis brevis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 16 cm.

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

Description

The short sand cichlid is a cichlid from Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 16 cm and has an elongate, silvery body; males flush bluish in courtship with a few 'egg spots' on the anal fin. As a bottom-dweller it sifts mouthfuls of sand over sand flats, filtering small invertebrates and insect larvae with fine gill rakers. It is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Short sand cichlid?

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

Where does the Short sand cichlid live?

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

How big does the Short sand cichlid get?

The Short sand cichlid grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Short sand cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Short sand cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Short sand cichlid edible?

Yes, the Short 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
Kortsnuit-zandcichlide sourced
English name
Short sand cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Tramitichromis brevis
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.3 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 Tramitichromis

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 →