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Contents
Overview
The auratus cichlid, or golden mbuna, was one of the first mbuna to reach the hobby and is still widely sold. Juveniles and females are golden yellow with two black horizontal stripes edged in white. Dominant males do something unusual: they reverse their colors, turning almost black with yellow or pale blue stripes.
It is pretty and hardy, but it has a well-earned reputation as one of the most aggressive mbuna. Males will not tolerate rivals and harass females, and even females fight each other. So although it is often sold to beginners, it is a poor choice for a first cichlid. It fits large, robust mbuna tanks run by someone who knows how to manage aggression.
Care and tank setup
Although it only grows to about 4.5 inches (11 cm), it needs space: plan on 75-80 gallons (300 liters) with a 4-foot (120 cm) footprint for one male and at least three or four females, ideally in a tank with other tough mbuna and a controlled, fairly dense stocking level that dilutes aggression. Water must be hard and alkaline.
- Aquascape: rock built up to half the tank height or more, with lots of caves where females can escape.
- Plants: rarely practical; anubias tied to rock at most.
- Tankmates: equally tough mbuna in other colors, such as groups of Maylandia or yellow labs. Never with haps, peacocks or peaceful fish, and never two males in a mid-sized tank.
- Common mistakes: buying a single pair (the female ends up dead), a 30-gallon tank, or calm tankmates.
Strong filtration, a heater and weekly 30% water changes are essential.
Feeding
Auratus are omnivores leaning toward plant matter; in the wild they eat algae from the rocks, small invertebrates and plankton. Use a spirulina mbuna pellet as the staple and add mysis or brine shrimp now and then. Skip beef heart and keep portions modest, since they are also prone to Malawi bloat.
Breeding
They are maternal mouthbrooders and breed easily. After rather rough courtship the female holds the eggs in her mouth for about three weeks and releases 15 to 30 independent yellow fry. Adults will eat them, so if you want to raise the young, move the female to a separate tank just before she releases.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Auratus cichlid. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Assassin snail Anentome helena 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Bladder snail Physella acuta 3 gal (10 L) · 59–82 °F (15–28 °C) 
Malaysian trumpet snail Melanoides tuberculata 5 gal (20 L) · 68–86 °F (20–30 °C) 
Rabbit snail (Tylomelania) Tylomelania sp. 16 gal (60 L) · 79–86 °F (26–30 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Auratus cichlid, and why.
- Bristlenose pleco: incompatible pH, incompatible temperaments
- Cherry barb: incompatible pH, incompatible temperaments
- Common goldfish: incompatible temperatures, incompatible temperaments
- Bronze cory: incompatible temperaments
- Panda cory: incompatible temperatures, incompatible pH, incompatible temperaments
- Zebra danio: incompatible temperatures, incompatible temperaments
- Discus: incompatible temperatures, incompatible pH, incompatible water hardness, incompatible temperaments
- Guppy: incompatible temperaments
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Auratus cichlid healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Auratus cichlid need?
At least about 300 liters for a group of at least 4 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Auratus cichlid need?
Between 24 and 28 °C, with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5.
What fish can live with the Auratus cichlid?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Nerite snail, Horned nerite snail, Assassin snail, Bladder snail and Malaysian trumpet snail. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Auratus cichlid be kept with shrimp?
Not recommended: because of its size or instinct, it will eat shrimp.
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