Edit Aulonocara jacobfreibergi

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Name

Scientific name

Aulonocara jacobfreibergi

Described by

Authority Johnson, Year 1974

Family

Cichlidae

Summary

The Malawi butterfly, Aulonocara jacobfreibergi, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, living where rocky shores give way to sand. One of th…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

170mm, standard length

Tank size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm

Water

Temperature and pH

Temperature 25–29°C, pH 7.5–9

Hardness

10–25dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries

Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania

Supporting text

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Endemic to Lake Malawi where it's known only from the southern portion of the lake with populations including Cape Maclear, Otter Point, Mumbo and Domwe Island…

Habitat

Inhabits the so-called intermediate zones of the lake, where rocky shores give way to sandy bottoms with scattered rocks. Towards the northern limit of its ran…

Aquarium size

Minimum base dimensions of 120 ∗ 60 cm48 ∗ 24 in or equivalent are recommended unless keeping the fish in smaller aquaria for breeding pruposes.

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 remain…

Behaviour and compatibility

Not as peaceful as some of its congeners and males tend to react aggressively any fish with a similar colour pattern, in particular, so take care when selectin…

Sexual dimorphism

Males are larger and more colourful 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.…

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. Males can be aggressive in pursuit of females so a ratio of a single male to 4 or more females is normally recommended in order to reduce the attention on any particular individual. Some flattish rocks and open areas of sand should be included to act as potential spawning sites. The male will select one such site and begin his courtship display and when a female is willing she will approach and lay a batch of eggs, after which she immediately picks them up in her mouth. The male possesses a number of 'egg spots' on the anal fin and the female is also attracted to these, but when she tries to add them to her mouth she actually recieves milt from the male, thus fertilising the eggs. The female will carry brood for up to 4 weeks before releasing fully free swimming fry. She will not normally eat during this period and can be easily spotted by her distended mouthparts combined with a distinctive 'chewing' motion. If overly stressed the eggs may be eaten or ejected prematurely meaning care must be taken if you decide to isolate a brooding female. It's also worth noting that if a female is away from the colony for too long she may lose her position in the pecking order of the group so try to wait as long as possible before moving a female unless she is being actively harassed. Some breeders artificially strip the fry from the mother's mouth at the 2 week stage and raise them separately from that point. The fry may still have some yolk sac remaining when released and do not require additional food until this has disappeared. If released with yolk sacs fully-absorbed, Artemia nauplii or similar can be offered immediately. They usually start to become sexable at around the 4 month stage.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the profileFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Notes

This was one of the first Aulonocara spp. to enter the hobby and its popularity has endured. It's known by several other vernacular names including 'Freiberg's…

References

2 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References