- Young individuals have females
coloring which consists of a golden-yellow base color with three black
bands. Each black band had small white stripes running parallel with it.
The caudal fin is spotted and the anal, pectoral, and pelvic fins are
golden. When the male reaches two inches, he begins to develop mature
male colors. The female colors are reversed on the male, making the base
body color black with yellow stripes. Sometimes the yellow stripes are
turquoise or blue depending on the location where the fish may be found.
The caudal fin is black with a few white stripes and the dorsal fin is
yellow. The anal, pectoral, and pelvic fins are black and have a white
fringe.
SIZE: Males to 5", Females to 4"; some have reported fish up to
8"
HABITAT: East Africa; caught along the rocky shores of Lake
Malawi
TANK: 32" or 30 gallons is sufficient for fish to 4" in length.
Larger fish require at least a 40" tank.
- WATER: pH 7.5-9 (8.0),
10-25 dH (20), 72-81°F
Social Behavior: An aggressive, territorial, and intolerant fish.
Provide a retreat for each fish. The Auratus is especially aggressive to
its own and similar species. Keep one male with several females.
Tank Mates: Small Haplochromines, mbunas, Synodontis
FOOD: Algae; flake; live; snails, bloodworms, mosquito larvae,
microorganisms, crustaceans, snails, Tubifex ; chopped meat;
pellets; tablets; plant matter; vegetables; peas, lettuce, spinach;
fruit.
SEX: The males is larger, has more black coloring, and has yellow
dummy-eggs on his anal fins.
Breeding: The parents form a matriarchal family. Raise the water
temperature to 79-81°F to initiate spawning. Place at least 4
females with one male in a breeding tank. 10-30 eggs are laid and are
immediately taken into the female's mouth. The male should be removed
just after spawning is complete. The eggs are incubated there for three
weeks, until they hatch. The fry remain in her mouth for another week
and then leave, to feed on small crustaceans and other small live foods.
Breeding Potential: Breeding is fairly easy as long as the male
does not kill the female is his aggressive spawning attempts.
- A pale blue variation is sometimes
imported from the waters around the Likoma Islands in Lake Malawi. These
fish are "Aufwuchs" feeders in nature. When disturbed, the male can undergo
rapid color change, assuming the colors of the female.
- Difficulty of Care: The
Auratus is a hardy, but highly aggressive fish. Usually this problem can be
solved by providing a cave or other structure for each fish, and by using
non-similar species as companions.
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