HomeFreshwater aquarium fishAfrican cichlidsLittletooth sandeater Littletooth sandeater (Lethrinops microstoma) Scientific name: Lethrinops microstoma Trewavas, 1931 The Littletooth sandeater (Lethrinops microstoma) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. Native range: Africa, Endemic to Lake Malawi. Found at Cape Maclear, East coast, near Masinje, and Likoma Islands. Also in Senga Bay. BiologyEncountered only in shallow sandy and intermediate habitats when breeding, and disappeared in the same area after the season. Probably migrates to deeper levels when not breeding. Feeds on invertebrates.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameLethrinops microstomaFamilyCichlidae (Cichlids)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length14.5EnvironmentFreshwater; demersal; potamodromousClimateTropicalDistributionAfrica: Endemic to Lake Malawi. Found at Cape Maclear, East coast, near Masinje, and Likoma Islands. Also in Senga Bay.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More african cichlidsAulonocara rostratumNkhomo-benga peacockAulonocara baenschiAulonocara Fort MaguireAulonocara hansbaenschiFairy cichlidAulonocara jacobfreibergiAulonocara chizumuluAulonocara korneliaeBlue orchid aulonocaraAulonocara maylandi kandeensisSee all african cichlids SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026