Male
Female Photo from "an illustrated encyclopedia of tropical fish" Howell books. Photo from "Cichlids from Eastern Africa" Tetra press.

Melanochromis auratus

Overview: One of the first of the African Cichlids to be imported the Auratus is still one of the most striking. Its belligerent and aggressive behavior makes it suitable only for the African Cichlid specialist.

Quick stats: size: 3 1/2 - 4 inches tank: 30 gallons %20 strata: all, mostly middle pH: 7.5-8.5 Hardness: medium hard to hard temperature: 72�- 79�F.

Classification: Order: Perciformes Suborder: Percoidei Family: Cichlidae ...

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