(Please note that the fish shown in the photo is only a representative of what an adult specimen would look like. The color may vary based on the age and sex of the fish you receive.)
Scientific Name: Melanochromis auratus
Common Name: Golden Mbuna, Golden cichlid, Malawi Golden Cichlid, Golden Pseudotropheus
Adult Size: 4-5 inches
Life Expectancy: 5 years
Habitat: Lake Malawi, Africa
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Ideal Tank Conditions:
- Temperature Range: 78°F
- pH Range: 7.0 - 8.0
- Hardness Range: 6 - 10
Temperament: Aggressive
Diet & Nutrition: Omnivore but has a very herbivorous diet in nature, so may eat any plant you put in the tank. Need to be fed small meals of dry, fresh and frozen foods rich in vegetable matter several times a day. Spirulina is highly recommended as a staple food. These foods will help keep the colors bright.
Breeding & Spawning: Mouthbrooders; females hold their fertilized eggs and fry in their mouth for a few weeks before releasing the fry.
Gender: Males have gold and neon blue stripes over a black background and females have black and neon blue stripes over a golden background.
Compatible Tank Mates: See Compatibility Chart