Aulonocara gertrudae
10 cm
Adult size
300 L
Minimum volume
4
Minimum group
6 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Aulonocara
- Diet
- carnivore
- Social life
- small group
In the wild
Overview
Described in 1995 by the Dutch cichlid specialist Ad Konings, Aulonocara gertrudae is a “peacock” of Lake Malawi. The adult male wears a blue coat with an orange-yellow throat and belly, and fins dotted with pale spots; it reaches about 11 cm without the tail.
Like other Aulonocara, it finds its prey in the sand thanks to the large sensory pores on its head.
- Scientific name
- Aulonocara gertrudae Konings, 1995
- Classification
- Cichliformes › Cichlidae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Lake Malawi: western and eastern shores (Malawi, Tanzania)
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It occurs on the western and eastern shores of Lake Malawi.
It lives above sandy bottoms between 3 and 30 m deep, most often below 15 m. The water is warm, hard and alkaline.
Behaviour
Fairly peaceful for a Lake Malawi cichlid, it suits a tank of calm haplochromines without boisterous mbuna. Males are aggressive towards fish of similar colours: one male for several females is recommended.
It hunts small invertebrates in the sand. A mouthbrooder, the female keeps eggs and fry in her mouth. It readily hybridises with other Aulonocara.