Auratus cichlid
Melanochromis auratus
FishFreshwater
- Care level
- Moderate
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Recommended tank
- 250 L
- Maximum size
- 13 cm
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
- pH
- 7.8–8.6
- Group size
- ≥ 4
- Diet
- Omnivore
Care at a glance
The auratus cichlid is one of the oldest mbuna in the hobby and immediately one of the fiercest: males are dark brown with a yellow edge, females a bright golden yellow, and both defend their rock crevice fiercely.
Never keep two males together — they will fight until one loses — and give at least three females per male to spread the aggression. Like other mbuna it wants hard, alkaline water with plenty of stacked rock and mostly vegetable, low-protein food to prevent Malawi bloat.
Good to know
Best not combined with
Related species
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.