(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.
Buy Ten 2" African Cichlids, Get Two FREE!
Add any ten 2" African Cichlids to your cart, and you can select your 2 FREE fish right from the sliding window at the top of the cart page. There is no limit on this offer!
(Special Note: 2" Frontosa and Duboisi qualify towards your 10 purchased fish, but are not available as free gifts).
Buy Eight 3" African Cichlids, Get Two FREE!
Prefer to start a bit larger? Add any eight 3" African Cichlids to your cart, and choose your 2 FREE fish from the sliding window on the cart page. There is no limit on this offer!
(Special Note: 3" Demasoni, Frontosa, and Turkana Jewel qualify towards your 8 purchased fish, but are not available as free gifts).
Freshwater Compatibility Chart
