Golden Auratus

Common Name
Auratus
Other Common Names
Golden Cichlid
Scientific Name
Melanochromis auratus
Family
Cichlidae
Community
African
Class
African
Temperature
78º
Swimming Range
Middle-Bottom
Adult Length
3 1/2 - 4 inches
Feeding HabitsFresh spinach, peas, romaine lettuce and zucchini. Live blood worms, fish, brine shrimp, glass worms and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, daphnia, plankton, beef heart, hi-pro diet, blood worms, glass worms and brine shrimp. Freeze dried and pelleted foods also accepted.
Compatibility
African community only. Will mix well with other Africans and certain species of catfish such as Synodontis Catfish.
Habitat
Lake Malawi Africa: Lots of rocks, driftwood and clay pots for creating territories. Live plants are a nice addition but may be eaten. The best choices for live plants are Java Fern and Java Moss.
Breeding
Female Auratus display the brighter coloration. Yellow on the lower half of the body with black and white stripes on the upper half. Male coloration, especially during breeding, is almost a reversal of the female's colors. The lower half of the body is black while the top half is yellow and white striped. Auratus are mouthbrooders and readily breed in the aquarium.
Additional Comments
Vegetation is very important in their diet for proper growth and coloration.