HomeFreshwater aquarium fishAfrican cichlidsAulonocara rostratum Aulonocara rostratum Scientific name: Aulonocara rostratum Trewavas, 1935 Aulonocara rostratum is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 19 cm (7.5 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful and needs a tank of at least 285 L (75 US gal), water at 22–26°C (72–79°F) and a pH of 7.4–8.3. Native range: Africa, Endemic to Lake Malawi. Known from Karonga, Vua, and Monkey Bay. Aulonocara rostratum care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentPeacefulAdult size19 cm (7.5 in)Minimum tank285 L (75 US gal)Temperature22–26°C (72–79°F)pH7.4–8.3Hardness5–30 dGH (89–535 ppm)DietCarnivore BiologyOccurs over open sand and feeds on sand-dwelling invertebrates. Solitary specimens usually seen over soft and muddy bottoms. Feeds on small invertebratesSource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameAulonocara rostratumFamilyCichlidae (Cichlids)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length18.0Depth range20 m (66 ft)EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 7.4 - 8.3; dH range: 5 - 30 benthopelagic; depth range ? - 20 mClimateTropicalDistributionAfrica: occurs throughout Lake Malawi.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries:; aquarium: commercialResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming Fec More african cichlidsNkhomo-benga peacockAulonocara baenschiAulonocara Fort MaguireAulonocara hansbaenschiFairy cichlidAulonocara jacobfreibergiAulonocara chizumuluAulonocara korneliaeBlue orchid aulonocaraAulonocara maylandi kandeensisGreenface aulonocaraAulonocara saulosiSee all african cichlids SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026