Melanchromis auratus (black cichlid)

[unforgiven118]

I just got two very young (as far as I can ascertain) black cichlid ( I think, that's what they are called anyway, they are yellow with black stripes running horizontally the length of the body with a kind of white background behind the stripe.)

anyway. I have a few questions, after keeping red devils and Piranha's (red bellied, and one black) I was wondering how easy or hard these will be to keep in comparison to these. The red devil killed the 2 piranha's in her tank in 3 days, so I've seen agression, and that is not my concern.. unless they are exceptionally agressive.

question 2. how big do they get?

question 3. The red devil has the 55 gallon aquarium, leaving these 2 allocated to the smaller 20 gallon. Is this sufficient tank for them and perhaps an angel and some other fish I get at some time. Come to think of it, does anyone know any good tankmates for these guys?

thanks in advance for your answers.

[SGypsyMermaid]

I just got two very young (as far as I can ascertain) black cichlid ( I think, that's what they are called anyway, they are yellow with black stripes running horizontally the length of the body with a kind of white background behind the stripe.)

anyway. I have a few questions, after keeping red devils and Piranha's (red bellied, and one black) I was wondering how easy or hard these will be to keep in comparison to these. The red devil killed the 2 piranha's in her tank in 3 days, so I've seen agression, and that is not my concern.. unless they are exceptionally agressive.

question 2. how big do they get?

question 3. The red devil has the 55 gallon aquarium, leaving these 2 allocated to the smaller 20 gallon. Is this sufficient tank for them and perhaps an angel and some other fish I get at some time. Come to think of it, does anyone know any good tankmates for these guys?

thanks in advance for your answers.

#1--aggression is relative...in the world of rift lake cichlids--m. auratus is very aggressive.

#2--fish maxes out at 5 or 6 inches

#3--20 gal. tank is much too small...a 4 ft tank is needed for auratus...mbuna should not be kept in pairs, but instead in groups of about 7 fish. they should be kept in a species tank or with other very aggressive mbuna like kennyi/lombardoi, or zebras.

[unforgiven118]

Thanks, I figured it was to small, but my 4 ft tank is taken by the red devil... I think they would have a small difference of opinion resulting in the M. auratus' death. So the pair is stuck in there. I'll probably mix them with an angel, though I imagine that won't go well either. If things don't go well I'll just give the piranhas an expensive meal, african cichlids aren't my thing really, my girlfriend got them for me on a whim... I much prefer the SA variety. :twisted:

[jnorris]

It depends on what you want....alot of fish..or a few fish that don't quiet get along.

If you like aggresive fish stick with the the plan if not.......trade them in.

or you may consider a more holisic community tank. All malawi are plenty aggresive but if you house them correctly then you could have a nice tank.......

[unforgiven118]

explain, "house them correctly"

[jnorris]

Put the correct species with another compatible species. http://www.cichlidrecipe.com/cichlidchart/

with a little research and asking around you will understand the concept.

[unforgiven118]

ah... I'm new to the african cichlid business... got these two for now. If I like keeping them, I might get somemore. I do enjoy south american... more agressive, more fun to keep.

[jnorris]

Keep in mind auratus are off the charts as far as aggressive nature....

FYI.....

Most fish keepers wouldn't advise you to keep these in your tank. If you want S Americans than you should go for it. There are some great fish there to be kept.

If you want to stay with africans let "us" know....

J

[unforgiven118]

I'll keep both.

what do you recomend for my 20 gallon tank... with these two in it.

Oh, I keep americans... lol. red devils all my life.. I love those fish.
hey, how would they do with the devil? lol... yeah, I know, she'd kill it.

[Mbuniac]

There are plenty of Africans that are more than a match for a Red Devil,
"BUT", the water requirements for South American and African cichlids are totally incompatible. If you try to keep the two together (even if you can find a peaceful combination) one of the species will suffer. Or at the very least, will not be at optimum health.
LOL, Sam

[jnorris]

Nothing really.....auratus will kill everything in your tank.

20 Gallons of water is pretty small, but with the auratus in it will make it much smaller. In my opinion they are evil, but when in tanks with themsleves they are interesting. You will see!

[unforgiven118]

really? I haven't met a fish yet that is a match for an adult red devil. I've seen mine take piranhas out already (I had to keep her with those for awhile, till she killed them and inherited their tank.
do you think 55 is enough for her to be happy in... she's almost full grown and doesn't seem to be suffering.

[unforgiven118]

evil, cool... I love evil fish.
I kept a black piranha for over 2 years... that was a little to evil, he went right back to the store. :lol:

[jnorris]

An adult auratis will make life interesting....

Most good LFS won't bother I tried to sell mine away, but I had to snap his neck to dispatch him.

If you are a serious fishkeeper I wouldn't recommend this species.... But if your up for a fight then I would say an ADULT auratus would kill everything.

Perhaps you should come up with a good workable plan for your tank. And NOT have to buy fish weekly because of reoccurring deaths..... :rofl:

[jnorris]

Ahhh Bevis......Buthead....its time for bed now......

[unforgiven118]

hmm, what do they look like when they are adults?

I trust 20 gallons is enough for just 2 adults

and if they are any comparison to S Nateri and the devil.. then I should love them.

oh, and how do I tell the difference between adult and juvenile?

is the description in the above forum accurate? and do you know where I can get alot of good pics of the others? lol, If I'm going to keep them, I might as well learn some things.

[jnorris]

Not worth having man.....

If you really want some cool fish let me know.

[Mbuniac]

Ditto that.

[unforgiven118]

ok... I'll just feed them to the devil for entertainment lol... she likes eating little fishes.

tell me what a cool fish is.

oh... and answer my other questions if you know..just so I know

[jnorris]

The male is light (and bright) Female is dark.

In Austraila the Female is forbeddion due to she is considered to be evasive.

Personally I think this fish is a sore spot in the hobbie. ANy more requests you sound send them direst to jnorris@goldendc.com

[jnorris]

My fish..

[unforgiven118]

you know... frankly they look a little like the J.Reganni on your page. lol.
now I don't know... aargh. We'll see when they grow up. if they are allowed to that is.

you think feeding them to Lucy is the best idea then? lol

what are trouser fish?

[jnorris]

Regani is a far cry........They do however have SOME similar coloring.

If your really serious about africans then hang out and learn.

I have given my recommendations.....if your serious then....let me know.

There are some great fish out there. If you like Julie. regani then you have to keep your tank clean and feed them flake food and then krill based foods once a week...

You might consider reptiles............Perhaps a viper...

Yes the Julies are aggressive too...they all are

[tom]

Hi folks

I've split this topic. Please see "Which African species in a 20?" in the General African Species forum.

Thanks

[bubba]

I have a male auratus in with a red devil, along with a electric blue and a red zebra and also a tiger oscar. The auratus being alittle smaller than the rest is still by far totaly in charge of the tank!!! No one does anything that he does not ok first!!!!!

[cichlidlvr]

I have an Paralabidochromis rock kribensis that is the most aggressive cichlid that I have owned he has 2 tiger oscars as tank mates (I know they shouldn't be together but they have survived for almost two years together) my rock kribensis chases my 2 oscars who happen to be 4 times his size. I also have a Melanochromis auratus about 3.5" male he also runs off my oscars but runs and hides from my rock kribensis. I havn't had a lot of experiance with red devils but if you want a match check out a Zebra Tilapia (Tilapia Buttikoferi) they have been known to kill piranah & red devils.

[cichlidlvr]

unforgiven 118 it sounds like you have female Melanochromis auratus males are mostly all black with a light horizontal stripe. Check out this link http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/aquarium/mbuna_auratus.html
If you do have a couple of females get a male and when it comes time to spawn we'll see how your red devil does lol!!!