Golden mbuna (Melanochromis auratus)

Scientific name: Melanochromis auratus Boulenger, 1897

Golden mbuna (Melanochromis auratus)

The Golden mbuna (Melanochromis auratus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 13 cm (5.1 in). It is easy to keep and aggressive and needs a tank of at least 115 L (30 US gal), water at 22–27°C (72–81°F) and a pH of 7.0–8.5. Native range: Africa, Endemic to Lake Malawi. Occurs in the southern part of the lake.

Golden mbuna care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Aggressive
Adult size
13 cm (5.1 in)
Minimum tank
115 L (30 US gal)
Temperature
22–27°C (72–81°F)
pH
7.0–8.5
Hardness
10–15 dGH (178–268 ppm)
Diet
Herbivore

Biology

Found in rocky habitats. Feeds from the biocover by nibbling and picking on the algae. Aquarium keeping: aggressive towards conspecifics; many females for one male; minimum aquarium size 100 cm.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Melanochromis auratus
Family
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
11.0
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - 8.5; dH range: 10 - 15 demersal
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi. Occurs in the southern part of the lake from Jalo Reef, north of Nkhota Kota southward along the entire western coast down to Crocodile Rocks including all islands and reefs. Not known on the eastern shore.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: highly commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm

More african cichlids

See all african cichlids

Sources

Taxonomy, 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.

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