Auratus

[Angelman]

I am planning to get some auratus. What size of tank do I need? How do I spawn them? And how many do I need? eg. a pair.

[SGypsyMermaid]

you should get 1 male and about 4 females. the tank should be at least fifty-five gallons and should have a lot of rockwork. you don't have to do anything to get them to breed--just give them clean water and good food and you'll soon have more auratus fry than you know what to do with!

[jnorris]

I wouldn't plan on putting much else in your tank. They are one of the most aggressive fish you can get (as far as africans).
Most respectible pet store owners won't even carry them, and Australia has banned the import of females to the country.
Just an FYI

[SGypsyMermaid]

the fish are extremely aggressive and you are very limited in what you can house with them, but they are also quite beautiful. there's no reason not to keep them so long as you realize that you can't put milder fish in with them. a group of kennyi can probably hold their own with them, especially if they are raised together from juveniles.

[jnorris]

True...or most Pseudotropheus species. When they are in a pack they get especially evil however.

[jnorris]

True...or most Pseudotropheus species. When they are in a pack they get especially evil however.

[jnorris]

If you lived in Golden you could have mine:)

[Angelman]

Actually I was planning of a pair in a 15g tank. Or is it to little??

[SGypsyMermaid]

that is a prescription for disaster--tank is way too small and mbuna cannot be kept in pairs unless they are in a tank with a whole lot of other mbuna, and even then it's chancy. you need at least 3 females to each male auratus. if there are no other fish in the tank, then you should have more. if you just get a pair, the male will almost surely murder the female.

[jnorris]

Ya I agree. I am watching mine pick on new fish as we speak, and I have a 75 gallon!