Auratus cichlid
Small, colourful cichlid from Lake Malawi
The auratus cichlid is a small freshwater fish native to the southern part of Lake Malawi. It belongs to the cichlid family and is popular in home aquariums due to its striking colour changes and mouthbrooding behaviour.
- Grows up to 11 cm in length
- Endemic to southern Lake Malawi
- Females protect fry in their mouths
- Dominant fish turn dark black or brown
- Popular in the aquarium trade
What it is
This species is a small, elongated fish reaching a maximum length of eleven centimetres. Young fish and adult females display bright yellow bodies with black and white stripes on their upper halves. Adult males look very different, featuring dark brown or black bodies with light blue or yellow stripes on the top half. It is a member of the cichlid family found in freshwater environments.
Where it lives
The fish lives only in the southern section of Lake Malawi. Its distribution starts at Jalo Reef and extends southwards along the entire western shoreline. The range continues down to an area known as Crocodile Rocks. This limited geographic spread makes it endemic to this specific part of the lake.
How it lives
In captivity, social hierarchies strongly influence appearance. Usually, one dominant male shows the dark male colouring while others retain the yellow female pattern. If the dominant male is removed, another fish will change to the dark colour to take his place. Females kept alone or without males for long periods may also permanently shift to the male colour scheme and act as the dominant individual.
Breeding and life cycle
Reproduction follows the mouthbrooding method common among many Lake Malawi cichlids. After fertilisation, the female keeps the eggs inside her mouth. She continues to hold the developing young, known as fry, within her oral cavity for several weeks. This protection lasts until the fry are ready to be released into the water.
Fish and people
Aquarium enthusiasts favour this fish, making it one of the most popular mbuna cichlids in the trade. Its ability to change colour based on social status provides interest for keepers. The distinct difference between male and female patterns, and the potential for females to mimic males, adds to its appeal in home tanks.
Questions people ask about Auratus cichlid
How big does the auratus cichlid get?
These fish are small and elongated. They reach a maximum size of approximately eleven centimetres, which is about four point three inches in length.
Why do some auratus cichlids change colour?
Colour depends on social rank. The dominant male is dark, while subordinates stay yellow. If the leader leaves, another fish changes to dark colours to assume dominance.
Where is this fish found in the wild?
It lives only in Lake Malawi. Specifically, it inhabits the southern region, ranging from Jalo Reef south along the western coast to Crocodile Rocks.
How do auratus cichlids reproduce?
They are mouthbrooders. The female holds fertilised eggs and young fry in her mouth for several weeks to protect them before releasing them into the water.
Good reading and sources
- Melanochromis auratus on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Melanochromis auratus", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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