Chitande Aulonocara care guide
Chitande Aulonocara (Aulonocara ethelwynnae) — minimum tank 250 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Aulonocara ethelwynnae is a smaller Malawi peacock cichlid, named in honour of ichthyologist Ethelwynn Trewavas. Adult males display a metallic blue body with a yellow forehead and dorsal fin edge. Adults reach about 11 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Aulonocara
- Scientific name: Aulonocara ethelwynnae
- Common synonyms: Chitande Yellow Top
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Malawi, where it inhabits the sand-and-rock transition zone of the mid-littoral. The lake is hard and alkaline — pH 7.8-8.6, KH 6-15 — with stable warm temperatures. Males hold territories around isolated rocks at the sand interface, while females and juveniles roam the open sand.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L (66 US gal)
- Adult size: 9-11 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 6-9 years
Diet
A sand-sifting invertebrate predator that locates small crustaceans and insect larvae buried in the substrate using highly sensitive sensory pores on the snout. In aquaria a cichlid pellet of moderate protein, supplemented with frozen mysis, Artemia and bloodworm in moderation, gives strong colour and condition; avoid the high-vegetable diet used for true mbuna.
Compatibility
Less aggressive than most mbuna and well suited to a "Malawi Hap and Peacock" tank with sand substrate, large open swimming areas and scattered rockwork. Keep one male to several females; do not mix with rock-dwelling mbuna that will dominate the bolder males. Different colour-form peacocks hybridise readily and should be kept apart.
Breeding
A polygamous maternal mouthbrooder. The male digs a shallow nest beside a rock and displays to attract females; each female collects fertilised eggs into her mouth and incubates them for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming fry that hide among the rocks.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: see species page. Most Aulonocara are widely distributed in Lake Malawi and assessed as Least Concern, though several deep-water and locality-restricted forms are more vulnerable to collection pressure.
Aulonocara ethelwynnae Breeding Guide
Overview
Aulonocara ethelwynnae, the Chitande Aulonocara, is endemic to Lake Malawi, occurring around Chitande Island and a short stretch of coastline between Ngara and Chilumba on the northwestern shore. Females and immatures keep to shallow water while mature males hold deeper territory. It reaches about 90-110 mm standard length, is a sand-sifting benthophage with enlarged sensory pores on the head, and is a maternal mouthbrooder.
Sexing
Males are larger and more colourful, showing a brownish-yellow body with dark vertical bars and violet to blue dorsal fins bearing black lappets; nuptial males add blue pigment between the bars and on the lower head. Females are comparatively grey and plain.
Conditioning
Condition breeding stock over sand on a varied diet of fine prepared foods together with small live or frozen invertebrates such as chironomid larvae, Tubifex, Artemia and mosquito larvae, plus some vegetable-based products.
Breeding Setup
A harem of one male with four to six females is recommended to reduce aggression on any single fish. Provide a sandy substrate with rocky shelter matching its intermediate habitat.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The female lays eggs and picks them up into her mouth. The male displays the egg spots on his anal fin, which the female instinctively approaches; contact transfers milt and fertilises the eggs orally.
Egg & Fry Care
Females carry the brood for up to four weeks before releasing fully free-swimming fry. Other Aulonocara species are best avoided in the breeding tank, as most are able to hybridise.