Aurora Cichlid (Maylandia aurora) Care Guide
Maylandia aurora is a mbuna cichlid from Likoma Island in Lake Malawi, with golden flanks and a blue head in dominant males.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Maylandia aurora is a rock-dwelling mbuna cichlid of Lake Malawi, described by Burgess in 1976. Dominant males show yellow-orange flanks and a blue head. It is also known under the synonyms Pseudotropheus aurora and Metriaclima aurora.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Maylandia
- Scientific name: Maylandia aurora
- Synonyms: Pseudotropheus aurora, Metriaclima aurora
Habitat
The species is endemic to Lake Malawi, occurring around Likoma Island and along the Mozambique coast between Mara Point and Tumbi Point, with introduced populations at Otter Point and Thumbi West Island. It lives at the intermediate rock-sand interface, usually at 2-5 m depth (recorded to 12 m).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
- Substrate: sand with rockwork forming territories
Diet
The species feeds at a low trophic level (about 2.0), grazing algae and associated material. A herbivorous, vegetable-based diet is appropriate; excessive animal protein should be avoided.
Compatibility
It is an aggressive, territorial mbuna. Males hold territories over medium and large rocks, while females, juveniles and non-territorial males may gather in groups of up to 30. It is best kept with other mbuna of similar aggression and with rift-lake catfishes such as Synodontis petricola; peaceful or soft-water species and other yellow mbuna should be avoided.
Breeding
It is a maternal mouthbrooder, producing about 40-70 eggs per spawn; the female incubates eggs and fry in her mouth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018).
Breeding Maylandia aurora (Aurora Cichlid)
Overview
Maylandia aurora (also written Metriaclima aurora) is a Lake Malawi mbuna found at Likoma Island and along the Mozambique coast (FishBase). The genus Maylandia, like most Lake Malawi cichlids, practises maternal mouthbrooding (Wikipedia). Males usually occupy upper surfaces of rocks, and some defend sand-scrape nests at the base of rocks (FishBase).
Sexing
The genus is valued for pronounced sexual dimorphism (Wikipedia). FishBase records males reaching about 8.7 cm SL and females about 8.0 cm SL. Dominant males are the most strongly coloured.
Conditioning
FishBase records 24-26 °C and pH 7.5-8.5 for the species, consistent with Lake Malawi's hard, alkaline water. Feed a vegetable-rich omnivorous diet of the aufwuchs type typical of rock-dwelling mbuna to bring fish into condition.
Breeding Setup
Provide rockwork with open sand at the rock base, reflecting the sand-scrape nests that males dig (FishBase). A sand substrate and abundant rock create territories; keeping a dominant male with several females (harem) helps spread aggression.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Males establish and defend a nest area; spawning follows the maternal mouthbrooding pattern of the genus (Wikipedia). The female produces about 40-70 eggs (FishBase). Warm, hard, alkaline water and an established male territory support spawning.
Egg & Fry Care
Following the maternal mouthbrooding pattern, the female incubates the eggs and larvae in her mouth before releasing free-swimming fry that shelter among rocks. Released fry accept fine first foods; brooding females may be isolated to protect the brood.
Common Challenges
Aggression and the need for hard alkaline water are the key considerations. Because it is less common than some mbuna, sourcing unrelated stock for genetic diversity, and keeping it away from similar yellow mbuna to avoid hybridisation, is advisable.