Auratus cichlid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Auratus cichlid |
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| An adult male auratus cichlid | |
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| An adult female auratus cichlid | |
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The auratus cichlid (scientific name: Melanochromis auratus) is a type of freshwater fish. It belongs to the cichlid family. People also call it the golden mbuna or Malawi golden cichlid. This fish lives only in the southern part of Lake Malawi. You can find it from Jalo Reef all the way down the western coast to Crocodile Rocks.
About the Auratus Cichlid
Auratus cichlids are small fish. They have a long, slender body. They can grow up to about 11 centimeters (4.3 inches) long.
Young auratus cichlids and females are bright yellow. They have black and white stripes on the top half of their bodies. Adult males look very different. They have a dark brown or black body. Their stripes on the top half are light blue or yellow.
Auratus Cichlids in Aquariums
The auratus cichlid is a very popular fish for home aquariums. It is one of the most common mbuna cichlids that people keep.
In fish stores, you will often see one male auratus cichlid. This male will be the boss and show off his black color. All the other fish will look yellow, like the females. If the black male is sold, another male will quickly take his place. This new dominant male will then change color to black.
How They Reproduce
Like many other cichlids from Lake Malawi, auratus cichlids are mouthbrooders. This means the female fish holds her eggs and baby fish in her mouth. She keeps them safe for a few weeks. After this time, she releases the tiny fry (baby fish) into the water.
See also
- Mbuna
- List of freshwater aquarium fish species
