This big and beautiful cichlid features a varying coloration. Females are the typical dull gray-brown, while males will sport anything from violet, green, and blue metallic shades with rusty-colored highlights and sometimes black spots around the head. As the common name implies, in the wild, this fish sifts through the sand for its food. Because of this behavior, provide a tank with ample bottom area and a fine, soft gravel or sand. Rock and other decor is fine, as well. A large tank is also important because of the eventual adult size. This particular cichlid is peaceful with most other large cichlids, though they can be semi-aggressive toward other Fossochromis. They may also eat smaller tankmates, so choose carefully. A diet of frozen meaty foods and a basic flake or pellet should suffice. They are a typical mouth brooder.