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Scientific Name: Melanochromis Auratus
Belligerent and territorial, one male and four to five females should be kept together in an aquarium where there are plenty of hiding places. This cichlid is typically intolerant of other fish.
| Temperature | pH Range | Hardness (dH) | Max. Size | Min. Tank Size | Swim Area |
| 72F - 79F | 7.0 - 8.5 | 15dh | 5 inches | 55 gallons | Bottom and Middle |
Origin:
Lake Malawi
Life Span:5 years
Diet:Omnivore
Additional Diet Information:Flakes, frozen, algae
Gender Difference:Juveniles: Bright yellow, with 2 white-edged black bars on the upper half of the body from the snout to the end of the caudal fin. A third, bordered dark line runs along the middle of the dorsal fin.
Mature Male: Dark blue-black bodies marked by silvery blue horizontal lines.
Female: Retain the yellow juvenile coloration.
Breeding:Mature Male: Dark blue-black bodies marked by silvery blue horizontal lines.
Female: Retain the yellow juvenile coloration.
Maternal Mouthbrooder
The female takes up the eggs which are fertilized orally. Her care lasts for about a week after the fry hatch.
Temperament/Social Behavior:- Aggressive
- Territorial
- Aggressive when spawning
- Males aggressive toward females
Malawi Bloat
Availability:Easily Obtained
