Auratus Cichlid
Melanochromis auratus
Cichlidae
About
The auratus is a strikingly banded rock-dwelling mbuna endemic to the shallow, rocky shores of Lake Malawi, where it grazes the algae-rich biocover known as aufwuchs. Females and juveniles wear golden-yellow flanks crossed by black-and-white lines, while dominant males invert to near-black with pale stripes. Despite its modest size of around 11 cm, it is among the most relentlessly aggressive cichlids in the hobby and demands an experienced keeper.
Care
Keep one male with three or more females in a hard, alkaline 400 L+ tank with a long footprint of at least 120 cm, sand substrate and dense stacked rockwork. Reserve for experienced mbuna keepers and avoid mixing with similar-looking or peaceful cichlids.
Diet
Herbivorous aufwuchs grazer; feed spirulina- and vegetable-based foods and strictly limit protein to prevent bloat.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (154)
Avoid (117)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- VentingStrong · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
- Egg spotsA hint only · from about 6 months
The yellow or orange ocelli on the anal fin of Malawi cichlids, traditionally explained as a lure that draws the female into mouthing them, fertilising the eggs she is already holding.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Auratus Cichlid need?
- A Auratus Cichlid needs an aquarium of at least 400 litres (105.7 US gallons) with a footprint at least 120 cm (47.2 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Auratus Cichlid need?
- Auratus Cichlid does best at 22–28 °C (71.6–82.4 °F), pH 7.5–8.8 and a general hardness of 10–25 °dGH.
- What group size does a Auratus Cichlid need?
- Auratus Cichlid is a social species — keep a group of at least 4 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the Auratus Cichlid suitable for beginners?
- Auratus Cichlid is a demanding species best attempted with some experience — it needs stable, closely watched conditions to thrive.