Goliad, Texas 77963
Fax 361.645.2258
Email goliadfish@goliadfarms.com
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Goliad Farms, INC. | 8497 FM 622 Goliad, Texas 77963 |
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361.645.2252 Fax 361.645.2258 Email goliadfish@goliadfarms.com |
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Contents
Fish
Cichlids |
Melanochromis auratus 
Melanochromis auratus is a mbuna cichlid from Lake Malawi in eastern Africa.
(Click here for a general discussion of cichlids.) The
top photo is a mature male. The bottom photo is a mature femals. Our
strain is from a commercial source. We acquired the strain in 2003.
Size: Males often reach 12.5cm (5 in.). Females are somewhat smaller. Description: Males are black with two horizontal blue stripes, the mid-lateral one, bright blue and the dorsal one light blue. The dorsal and the distal end of the caudal are yellow. Females are yellow with two horizontal black stripes. Females have a black dorsal fin stripe. The fins are partially to fully yellow. Juveniles of both sexes have the adult female coloration.Environment: This fish tolerates pHs from 6.5 to 8.0 while preferring pHs at near the higher end (basic) of this range. Water hardness is not critical, but it prefers very hard water. Optimum temperature ranges from 20-30°C (68-85°F). Geographic Range: This fish hails from Lake Malawi in eastern Africa.
Spawning: We maintain breeding colonies of this cichlid consisting of a single male with six to twenty females. This cichlid is a maternal mouth brooder. At 30°C (85°F), females carry eggs and fry for about 21 days. Broods are smaller than those of most cichlids, but can be as large as 40 fry for mature females. We do not strip eggs or fry, but allow the females to carry them to natural release. The fry are large and can eat commercial food, Daphnia, brine shrimp nauplii, etc. immediately. The fry are rarely bothered by the adults, but in our system, fry are provided abundant cover just to be sure. Additional Information:
For more information about this species, click on one of the following article
names: Additional Photos:
For additional photos of this species, click on one of the following photo
locations: Page last modified December 27, 2007.
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Temperament:
This fish is not aggressive for a cichlid, but males can be quarrelsome among
themselves. They are active fish, constantly interacting with other fish. It can
be kept either in a large single species aquarium or in active community aquaria
with fish with similar behavior and requirements.