Melanochromis auratus auratus

Natural Range Sexing , Africa This species is easily distinguished between male and female, due to the differences in their Maximum Size and Longevity colour. Males will have a dark black belly, and Maximum length is 10-15cm with a life span of 5 will retain their yellow colouration as they mature. -10 years when cared for appropriately. Females on the other hand, will not.

Water Quality Breeding · Temperature: 24°C - 28°C. Very easy to breed, females are ‘mouth · pH: 7.8—8.2 brooders’ (that is, the eggs and fry are looked · General Hardness: 200—350 ppm. after in the mother’s month). Spawning will happen every month. Females will not eat while Feeding carrying young, so it is a good idea to rest the Mel. auratus will accept most foods offered, but female after every batch. vegetable matter in the form of spirulina, spinach etc should form a large proportion of the diet. Be aware that when kept with other This can be supplemented with live and frozen Melanochromis species, there is a risk of food varieties, such as Aquarium Industries hybridisation. Naturals Range Leafy Spinach, and Malawi Mix. General Information M. Auratus was one of the first to be Compatibility exported from Lake Malawi, and is very popular This is one of the most aggressive and territorial with cichlid enthusiasts. of the ‘’ (Rock dwelling cichlids). Be sure to provide plenty of hiding places such as rocks, Due to it’s aggressive nature, care is needed which will reduce the impact of its aggression on when housing Mel. auratus with peaceful cichlids. tank mates. It can be combined with other mbuna provided they do not resemble its patterning. The tank Colour and Varieties should be crowded—this ‘spreads’ the Basic colouration is bright yellow, with black aggression, and is better for the . Provide a horizontal bars. Males are mostly black with large amount of rock work to reduce aggression white stripes. and territory formation.

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