Metriaclima aurora
Metriaclima aurora was first described by Warren E. Burgess in 1976. Originally, the species was described under the name Pseudotropheus aurora. The name Maylandia aurora is also often used. The fish belong to the Cichlidae family (cichlids).
The genus name Metriaclima is derived from the Greek “metrios,” meaning “moderate,” and “clima,” meaning “slope” or “incline.” This refers to the moderately sloping head shape of the fish within this genus. The species name aurora comes from Roman mythology and refers to Aurora, the goddess of dawn. This name was chosen because of the bright yellow color of the chest and lower part of the head, which contrasts with the blue color of the body, reminiscent of the colors of dawn.
Synonyms: Pseudotropheus aurora, Maylandia aurora
Description of Metriaclima aurora
Metriaclima aurora has a relatively tall, laterally moderately flattened body. The head has a moderately sloping profile. A striking feature are the large eyes, which are relatively large compared to other Metriaclima species. The color of the head and flanks varies depending on sex and age. Males often display a light blue to violet-blue color on the body and top of the head. Six to eight faint, dark transverse bands may be visible on the flanks, depending on the mood of the fish. The belly and front part of the chest are golden yellow in males. The fins are usually yellow with blue accents; the anal fin often has an egg-shaped spot. Females are generally gray-brown to pale brown in color with the same transverse bands, but less pronounced. The yellow spots in the anal fin are often less distinct or absent in females. Males reach a length of about 12 centimeters, while females remain around 10 centimeters.
Gender and Age Differences
There is a clear color dimorphism between males and females. Males are considerably more colorful than females, with more intense blue and yellow colors. Females have a more muted, gray-brown color. Young animals resemble females in color. Behavioral differences are particularly noticeable during reproduction; males defend their territory more aggressively than females.
Behavior and Temperament
Metriaclima aurora is an active fish that lives in the wild in the transition zones between rocky areas and sandy bottoms of Lake Malawi, at a depth of 3 to 20 meters. They are bottom dwellers that feed on algae and plankton. Within the species, they display a certain degree of aggression, especially males competing with each other for territory and dominance. However, they are less aggressive towards other fish species, except during the mating season. It is advisable to keep them in a harem (one male with several females) or as a pair. They are not shy and are easy to observe.
Life expectancy
The life expectancy of Metriaclima aurora in the wild is not precisely known. In an aquarium, they can live for 5 to 10 years, depending on care and conditions.
Related species
Metriaclima hajomaylandi, Metriaclima sp. “Zebra Masinje,” Metriaclima chrysomallos. You can recognize Metriaclima aurora by the six faint vertical stripes under the dorsal fin. Metriaclima hajomaylandi and Metriaclima chrysomallos have seven to nine.
Biotoop van Metriaclima aurora
Metriaclima aurora is an endemic species of Lake Malawi and occurs naturally in Malawi and Mozambique. In Mozambique, they are found along the coast at Likoma Island, Mara Point, Mbweca, Tumbi Point, and an isolated location at N’kolongwe. There is also a population on Thumbi West Island and Otter Point, but these have been artificially introduced.
Their natural habitat is located in the intermediate zones around the islands in the lake, at a depth of between 5 and 40 meters, most commonly around 15 meters deep. At Chidunga Rocks, they are most numerous near the bottom of the reef, at a depth of about 6 meters. The habitat is characterized by a transition between rocky areas and sandy bottoms. There is a lot of underwater vegetation in the form of algae and growth on the rocks. The bottom consists of a mixture of rocks and sand.
Diet
Diet in the Wild
In their natural habitat in Lake Malawi, Metriaclima aurora feed mainly on algae, particularly diatoms and loose strands of algae that they scrape off the rocks. They also eat plankton. Their feeding behavior is unique; they place their mouths at right angles to the substrate and open their mouths to almost 180 degrees to collect algae and loose particles. They do not tear off the algae, but only scrape off the loose parts.
Diet in the Aquarium
In an aquarium, Metriaclima aurora can be fed a varied diet that mimics their natural food. Good quality spirulina flakes form a staple diet. In addition, they can be given small amounts of frozen daphnia, artemia, and mosquito larvae. It is important to provide a varied diet to ensure that they get all the necessary nutrients. Avoid too much fatty animal food, as their digestive system is not well adapted to it.
The Aquarium
For a harem of Metriaclima aurora, an aquarium of at least 150 liters is recommended, but a larger aquarium of 250 liters or more is better. The setup should mimic their natural habitat. Use a mix of rocks to create hiding places and territories, and a sandy bottom. Plants are not essential, but a few robust species that can tolerate some shade can be added.
Water parameters
The ideal water values for Metriaclima aurora are a pH of 7.5-8.5, a hardness of 6-15 dGH, and a temperature of 22-27°C. Regular water changes (20-25% per week) are important to maintain water quality.
Compatibility with Other Residents
Metriaclima aurora can be kept together with other, equally peaceful Mbuna species of similar size that prefer a similar habitat, such as Melanochromis species, Labidochromis species, or Iodotropheus species. However, avoid aggressive species, species with a similar appearance, or species that are too small, as Metriaclima aurora can be territorial, especially the males. It is important to provide sufficient hiding places to minimize conflicts.
Breeding aquarium and conditioning of Metriaclima aurora
No special breeding aquarium is required to breed Metriaclima aurora. You can simply breed them in an aquarium together with other species.
In a mixed aquarium, the young fish usually end up as food for the adult fish. Only a few will survive and grow up if there are plenty of hiding places. If you want to raise more young fish, a separate aquarium is the solution.
Set up a small breeding aquarium with some sand on the bottom and a hiding place where the female can be placed later. Lighting is not important. A small (sponge) filter is sufficient to maintain water quality.
The Spawn
During mating, the males’ colors become more intense. The blue becomes deeper and the yellow brighter. The female shows less pronounced color changes.
The courtship ritual begins with the male cleaning and defending a territory. He will then look for a suitable spot on the ground, often under a rock or in a small cave. He will then attract females with a combination of body postures and colors. If a female is interested, she will follow the male and join him in the chosen spot. They will circle each other in a head-to-tail formation. The female will then lay one or two eggs at a time, which she immediately takes into her mouth. At the same time, the male will spread his anal fin, which displays egg spots, stimulating the female to take in the spleen. This process is repeated until all the eggs have been deposited. Metriaclima aurora is a mouthbrooder; fertilization and incubation of the eggs takes place in the female’s mouth. A well-formed female can deposit up to 40 eggs.
Raising the Metriaclima aurora fry
The incubation period of the eggs in the female’s mouth lasts approximately 3 to 4 days. After hatching, the young remain in their mother’s mouth for quite some time. Only between 21 and 25 days after laying the eggs does the female release the young fish. Once they are swimming freely, you can feed them finely ground dry food. As they grow, their diet is expanded to include larger food particles.
Only the mother provides parental care; she carries the eggs and young in her mouth until they can swim independently.
After releasing the fry, the young fish often fall prey to the other adult fish. To raise a brood, catch the female from the main aquarium around day 17 or 18 after spawning. Place the female with her mouth full of eggs in the breeding aquarium. Here she will continue to brood the young fish. After releasing the young, she will not eat them immediately. You will have enough time to return the female to the main aquarium.
Details about Metriaclima aurora
The documents contain various details about Metriaclima aurora that were not fully covered in the previous chapters. Below is an overview of these details:
- Variation in Color Pattern: There is considerable variation in the color pattern of males, depending on geographical location. Males from Likoma Island, Mara Point North, and N’kolongwe exhibit a light blue to violet-blue color, while males from Mbweca and Tumbi Point have a brown upper body with light blue scales and faint blue bands. This variation in color patterns is an important aspect in identifying different populations within the species.
- Relationship to Other Species: Metriaclima aurora belongs to the “Aurora” group within the genus Metriaclima, characterized by the absence of a black band in the dorsal fin and a light brown color in females with yellow edges on the fins. The close relationship with other species within this group, such as M. chrysomallos, M. hajomaylandi, and M. barlowi, is emphasized. Differences in the number of vertical stripes below the dorsal fin (6 in M. aurora, 7-9 in M. hajomaylandi and M. chrysomallos) and the length of the lower jaw distinguish M. aurora from these related species.
Conclusion
Metriaclima aurora is an attractive and relatively easy-to-keep cichlid, suitable for advanced beginners. A spacious aquarium with a mixed substrate of sand and rocks, and a varied diet are essential. Keeping them in a harem (one male with several females) is recommended to minimize aggression. The striking color variation between males and females, and the different color variants between populations, make this species particularly interesting.
Although generally easy to keep, successful breeding requires attention to water quality and a varied diet. The mouthbrooding behavior of the females is fascinating to observe. Their large eyes and unique feeding behavior, in which they scrape algae with their mouths open at an angle of almost 180 degrees, are unusual characteristics. Overall, Metriaclima aurora is highly recommended for Malawi cichlid enthusiasts who are looking for a relatively peaceful yet visually appealing species.
Video
How big will Metriaclima aurora grow in the aquarium?
Males reach a length of about 12 cm, while females remain around 10 cm.
Can I keep multiple Metriaclima aurora males together?
No, that is not recommended. Males are territorial and compete for dominance, which can lead to aggression and fighting. It is better to keep a harem (one male with several females) or a pair. For multiple pairs, a significantly larger aquarium is required.
What are the ideal water values for this species?
The ideal water values are a pH of 7.5-8.5, a hardness of 6-15 dGH, and a temperature of 22-26°C.
Which fish can Metriaclima aurora be combined with?
Metriaclima aurora can be kept together with other, equally peaceful Mbuna species of similar size that prefer a similar habitat, such as Melanochromis, Labidochromis, or Iodotropheus species. Avoid aggressive species or species that are too small.
How can I tell the difference between male and female Metriaclima aurora?
There is a clear difference in color. Males are considerably more colorful than females, with more intense blue and yellow colors. Females have a more muted, gray-brown color. Males often display a light blue to violet-blue color on their body and the top of their head, with a golden yellow belly and chest. Females are generally gray-brown to pale brown in color.
Author
Since I bought my first second-hand aquarium when I was twelve, I have always had one or more aquariums. I even converted a garage into a breeding room where I had 50 aquariums containing around 10,000 liters of water. At the moment, I have two aquariums: a 1,250-liter Tanganyika aquarium and a 250-liter community aquarium with plants. For the past 10 years, I have been working on this website as a writer and photographer.
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References
- Konings, A. F., & Stauffer, J. R., Jr. (2006). Revised diagnosis of Metriaclima (Teleostei: Cichlidae) with description of a new species from Lake Malawi National Park, Africa. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 17(3), 233–246.
- Ciccotto, P. J., Konings, A., & Stauffer, J. R., Jr. (2011). Descriptions of five new species in the genus Metriaclima (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from Lake Malaŵi, Africa. Zootaxa, 3022(1), 1–35.
- Stauffer, J. R., Jr., Black, K., & Konings, A. F. (2013). Descriptions of five new species of Metriaclima (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from Lake Malaŵi, Africa. Zootaxa, 3647(1), 101–136.
- Stauffer, J. R., Jr., Bowers, N. J., Kellogg, K. A., & McKaye, K. R. (1997). A revision of the blue-black Pseudotropheus zebra (Teleostei: Cichlidae) complex from Lake Malawi, Africa, with a description of a new genus and ten new species. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 148, 189–231.
- “Pseudotropheus aurora, A new Species of Cichlid Fish from Lake Malawi.”, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, mei 1976, pp. 52-56.
