Melanochromis auratus
Pictures
Pair
Top: Male
Bottom: Female
cription
In the wild:
In the wild Melanochromis Auratus is sipping aufwuchs of rocks and stones.
The name auratus means Yellow colored, and refers to the female's color.
In the aquarium:
An aquarium for this species should be at least 250 l and should be designed with lots of stone and fine sand. Melanochromis auratus is extremely aggressive, and it is advisable to have at least two females to one male, and preferably more. Keep it together with other robust mbunaer.
A little history:
Melanochromis auratus is one of the most famous Malawi cichlids, which can be seen in most aquarium stores. It was one of the first cichlids as they got home from Lake Malawi.
Melanochromis auratus lives in most of the southern part of Lake Malawi. It lives on the western coast from Jalo Reef to Crocodile Rock and the Chipoka, Rifu, Senga Point and Nkhomo Reef. There lives a closely related species of pitcher Island. But one has no images yet of this kind. It is not known on the east coast.
Breeding Behaviour
Breeding Behaviour
Males first gets their breeding colors when there are other males around and when it is ready to breed. It is not often that you can see it in his breeding full colors without any other males around it.
The play takes place in a hollow or in a rock or stone.
The female swims about. 21 days with the kids. Up to one week after they are let loose, she will still take care of them.
Number of offspring
25-40
Info
Type
Cichlider, Malawi - Mbuna
Trade Name
Auratus, Golden Mbuna
Described
Boulenger, 1897
Cichlider, Malawi - Mbuna
Trade Name
Auratus, Golden Mbuna
Described
Boulenger, 1897
Looks
Colours
The male is black on the lower part of the body and has a white and a black vertical stripe and light dorsal fin.
Size Male
12
Size Female
10
The male is black on the lower part of the body and has a white and a black vertical stripe and light dorsal fin.
Size Male
12
Size Female
10
Best Conditions
Min. temp
23°C
Max. temp
28°C
Min. pH
7.8
Max. pH
8.5
Min. aquarium
250L
Holding!;
Best with More Females then Males
23°C
Max. temp
28°C
Min. pH
7.8
Max. pH
8.5
Min. aquarium
250L
Holding!;
Best with More Females then Males
Food
Food:
Algies
Cichlidsticks
Crisp
Flakes
Spirulina
Edited by Malawi Freak, 04 June 2013 - 08:06 PM.
