cichlids "cleaning" gills

[christine2012]

My cichlids sift a mouthful of sand and release it through their gills. I assume the do this to clean them? Its super cute and I'm just wondering if this is expected behavior.

 

[Jacobsal91]

Well cichlids move sand around to dig little huts for mating. Not really sure of they actually do this to clean their gills out, What kind of cichlids is it?

 

[Tetra1990]

My bolivian rams do this.i think they searching for food.

 

[christine2012]

All of mine do it. An auratus, 2 acei, a lab, 2 jewels.