Melanochromis auratus

From The Aquarium Wiki

Jump to: navigation, search
This article is a stub. We can not complete the encyclopaedia without your help.
You can contribute to the Aquarium Wiki by expanding this article. Dont be shy!.



Malawi Golden Cichlid
Malawi Golden Cichlid
Species Melanochromis auratus
Difficulty Moderate
Min. Tank Size 170.344 liters
170,343.53 mL

45 US Gallons (170.3L)

Size 10.16 cm

3-4 " (7.6-10.2cm)

pH 7.5 - 8.5
Temp. 295.15 K
71.6 °F
531.27 °R

299.15 K
78.8 °F
538.47 °R22 -26 °C (71.6-78.8°F)

Water Hardness

15-20

Stocking Ratio 1:3 M:F
Availability Uncommon
Diet

Omnivore
Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Live Foods

Life Span

5-8 years


Contents

[edit] Alternative names

Auratus, Malawi Golden Cichlid, Golden Mbuna

[edit] Sexing

The male and female auratus have completely different colouration. The female is slightly smaller and her body is a golden yellow with black/brown lateral stripes which are bordered in white. The fins are also yellow. The male's body is black/brown in colour with a yellow stripe running the length of the body. The top of his body is a mustard color which is followed up through the dorsal fin.
It must be noted that this fish has the capability of changing sex, in an environment devoid of males, a female will switch sex. It's less common for males to switch to female.

[edit] Tank compatibility

An aggressive fish, keep this fish in an African Cichlid set up only.

[edit] Diet

Will take most foods including pellet, flake and live/frozen foods. The Auratus will also graze on algae and supplementing their diet with spirulina is beneficial.

[edit] Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.

[edit] Environment Specifics

Prefers rockwork decor with hiding places. Does best in hard alkaline water. Good substrate choices could be Dolomite or crushed coral to aid in buffering the water.

[edit] Behaviour

An aggressive and territorial fish.

[edit] Identification

See sexing. The fish is fairly elongated with the anal and dorsal fins being fairly rounded, whereas the caudal fin is more triangular.

[edit] Pictures

Auratus Cichlid

[edit] External links

Facts about Melanochromis auratus
Availability Uncommon
Common name Malawi Golden Cichlid
Diet Omnivore  +
Difficulty Moderate
Family Cichlidae  +
Foods Pellet Food  +, Flake Food  +, and Live Food  +
Maximum Size 4 in (10.16 cm)  +
Maximum age 8  +
Maximum hardness 20  +
Maximum pH 8.5  +
Maximum temperature 299.15 K (26 °C, 78.8 °F, 538.47 °R)  +
Minimum Tank Size 45 US Gallon (170.344 liters, 170,343.53 mL)  +
Minimum hardness 15  +
Minimum pH 7.5  +
Minimum temperature 295.15 K (22 °C, 71.6 °F, 531.27 °R)  +
Scientific name Melanochromis auratus
Retrieved from "http://www.theaquariumwiki.com/Melanochromis_auratus"
Personal tools
brackish water