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Edit Aulonocara ethelwynnae

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Name

Scientific name

Aulonocara ethelwynnae

Described by

Authority Meyer, Riehl & Zetzsche, Year 1987

Family

Cichlidae

Common names

Northern Aulonocara

Photograph credits

All 1 credited

Summary

The northern aulonocara, Aulonocara ethelwynnae, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, known only from Chitande Island and the nearby northw…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

110mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 90 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 22–26°C, pH 7.4–9

Hardness

10–25dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Social needs

One male with several females

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Malawi, Lake Malawi, Lake Malawi - Chitande Island

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Endemic to Lake Malawi where it was described from and only occurs around 'Chitendi Island', now normally referred to as Chitande island plus a short stretch o…

Habitat

Inhabits the so-called intermediate zones of the lake, where rocky shores give way to sandy bottoms with scattered rocks. Females and immature males apparently…

Aquarium size

Minimum base dimensions of 90 ∗ 45 cm or equivalent are recommended unless keeping the fish in smaller aquaria for breeding purposes.

Maintenance

Arrange some piles of rockwork around the tank but leave some open spaces between them and use fine sand as substrate so that it's able to feed naturally (see …

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Aulonocara spp. are benthophagous by nature employing a method of feeding whereby mouthfuls of substrate are taken and sifted for edible items with the remaini…

Behaviour and compatibility

A relatively peaceful species although males tend to act aggressively towards any fish with a similar colour pattern, so take care when selecting tankmates. Po…

Sexual dimorphism

Male fish are more colourful and usually grow larger than females.

Reproduction

Maternal mouthbrooder which will often spawn in a community set-up, but should be moved or maintained in a specific tank if the intention is to maximise yield.…

Notes

Quite rarely seen in the hobby, this species is most easily-distinguished by the chocolate-brown striping on mature male specimens but following the original d…

References

References

1 on this profile