Aurora cichlid
Maylandia aurora
Also known as Metriaclima aurora
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 4.7 in
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 30 gal
- 115 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Own kind
- One male per tank
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Easy
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
Overview
The aurora cichlid is an algae-grazing mbuna for a rocky Malawi tank, and it is of middling difficulty to keep.
Did you know
The aurora cichlid's colors track its status. A dominant male shows strong blue with yellow and orange when he is breeding and ready to fight, while subordinate males stay drabber. The brightest fish in the tank is usually the boss.
Caring for the aurora cichlid
Give aurora cichlids at least 30 gal (115 L), with lots of rock and hiding spots. Use the rockwork to spread out the territory disputes. They swim mostly in the middle of the tank.
Match the lake's warm, slightly alkaline water, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. They graze algae and plant matter off rocks, so feed a vegetable or spirulina-based food. Go easy on protein.
Expect aggression, especially from males defending their patch. Keep one male to several females, and choose any other tank mates with caution. Males grow larger, and the females stay smaller.
The aurora cichlid is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding it is easy.
Good to know
The aurora cichlid is a mbuna in the family Cichlidae, sometimes listed under Metriaclima or Pseudotropheus. Wild populations are listed as Least Concern.
In the wild
Aurora cichlids come from the rocky, shallow margins of Lake Malawi in East Africa. They hold territories around rock formations and duck into gaps for shelter.
Common questions
What size tank does an aurora cichlid need?
An aurora cichlid needs at least 30 gal (115 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an aurora cichlid need?
An aurora cichlid is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
What does an aurora cichlid eat?
An aurora cichlid grazes algae and plant matter, so it eats a vegetable or spirulina-based food. Go easy on protein.
How big does an aurora cichlid get?
An adult aurora cichlid reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
How can you tell a male aurora cichlid from a female?
Males are the larger sex, and females stay smaller.
How does an aurora cichlid breed?
Aurora cichlids are maternal mouthbrooders, and the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding them is easy.
Related species
5.1 in (13 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Cobalt blue cichlid
Maylandia callainos
5.1 in (13 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
5.5 in (14 cm)55 gal (210 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Ice blue zebra
Maylandia greshakei
5.5 in (14 cm) · 55 gal (210 L)
5.5 in (14 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Kenyi cichlid
Maylandia lombardoi
5.5 in (14 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)45 gal (170 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Red zebra cichlid
Maylandia estherae
3.9 in (10 cm) · 45 gal (170 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)55 gal (210 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Zebra mbuna
Maylandia zebra
5.9 in (15 cm) · 55 gal (210 L)
4.7 in (12 cm)66 gal (250 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Mayland's zebra
Maylandia hajomaylandi
4.7 in (12 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)