
The water should be tested immediately in order to identify the cause of this behavior. There is a high chance that there is something wrong with the water parameter. If the fish are gasping for air at the water surface, that is a clear indication of stress. While this is not a definitive indication of poor water quality, it is something to be aware of. If the fish loses its appetite, this may be a cause for concern. There are some signs to be aware of while monitoring the health of the fish. Under poor water conditions, the fish will become stressed and the health of the fish will deteriorate as well. In addition, a reliable aquarium filter will be necessary as well. If that is the case, 2-3 water changes may be required throughout the week. As a method of managing their aggression, Auratus Cichlids are often overstocked on purpose. Depending on their bioload, more water changes may be necessary. In order to maintain good water parameters, weekly water changes of 20-50% is recommended. When caring for Auratus Cichlid it is important to maintain good water conditions. If their aggression can be managed however, these are interesting fish to keep. These situations may be difficult to manage for an inexperienced fishkeeper. This may result in attacks among tank mates that were previously peaceful. Their aggression may escalate suddenly during mating season as well.

Tank setups and tank mates must be selected with careful consideration. This is mainly because of their aggressive characteristic, which can make it difficult to properly care for them.

Auratus Cichlid CareĪuratus Cichlid are hardy, but they aren’t recommended for most beginners in the aquarium hobby. In their native habitat in Lake Malawi, they can normally be seen in groups of 8-10. In fact, they can terrorize fish that are double their size. While mbuna are generally known for being aggressive, Auratus Cichlids are one of the most aggressive member of this group. This aquarium fish is known for is aggressive characteristics. May be susceptible to Malawi Bloat disease.Īuratus Cichlid ( Melanochromis auratus) is an African Cichlid type that originates from Lake Malawi. Since they are highly aggressive species of cichlid, tank mates should be selected with careful consideration. Omnivorous diet (Live bloodworms, brine shrimp, ghost shrimp, Spirulina-based flakes, etc.)
