Scientific Name: Fossorochromis rostratus
Pronunciation: Foss-o-roe-cro-mis ross-stra-tus
Trade Name(s): Rosco, Malawi Sand Diver
Distribution: Lake-wide distribution.
Habitat: Rocky areas.
Diet: Invertebrates & plankton.
Sexing: Males are dark blue/black on the under body with a metallic blue/white over the upper body.
Females are silver with the juvenile spots.
Maximum Size: 35cm
Temperature: 24 to 26c
pH: 7.5 to 9.0
Water Hardness: 300-400ppm
Availability: Commonly Available in Oz.
Comments: Males are one of the most stunning Haps in regards to color, Only one male will color in the colony all others will be in female/juvenile coloration. They feed by ramming their head into the sand searching for invertebrates.
In the Lake they are followed by Protomelas annectens & Cyrtocara moorii as they pick up the scrapes Fossorochromis rostratus miss out on.
Page # Malawi Cichlids In Their Natural Habitat Vol 4: 322
Retail Value: $15 - $25 @ 4-6cm
