Aulonocara maulana

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Aulonocara maulana, also known as Bicolor 500, is an attractive Lake Malawi cichlid valued for its strong color contrast. This fish belongs to the Aulonocara group, commonly called peacock cichlids, and is distinguished by a metallic blue head and a golden-yellow body in mature males. Native to the Chitimba Bay area of Malawi, it inhabits rocky and sandy sections of the shoreline. The species is collected from the wild and remains very common in the aquarium trade. It suits a properly arranged African cichlid aquarium when provided with alkaline, hard and stable water.

General species description

Aulonocara maulana is a haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi and is classified among the peacock cichlids of the genus Aulonocara. Like its close relatives, it uses sensory pores on the head to locate small prey in the sand. The adult male generally shows a metallic blue head contrasting with yellow to golden body and fin colors. Females and juveniles are more subdued, usually gray-brown to silvery. This species is kept in African community aquariums, but it should be housed with Lake Malawi cichlids requiring similar conditions. Its temperament is generally moderate for a Malawi cichlid, although territorial behavior increases during spawning.

Geographic origin and biotope

Aulonocara maulana comes from Lake Malawi in East Africa, particularly the Chitimba Bay area in the northern part of the lake, in Malawi. Its natural habitat includes rocky rubble, sandy beaches and transition zones between rocks and open substrate. This arrangement allows the fish to search the bottom while quickly retreating into shelter among the rocks. The water is warm, highly mineralized and alkaline. In the aquarium, provide stable, well-oxygenated water with very low nitrogenous waste. The biotope has little dense aquatic vegetation; plants along the shoreline are mainly part of the terrestrial landscape and are not a major feature of the submerged habitat.

Precise location and local name

The locality associated with Aulonocara maulana is Chitimba Bay, a bay on the northwestern shore of Lake Malawi, in Malawi. The most widely used trade name is Bicolor 500, referring to its strongly contrasting color pattern. It is also sold under its full scientific name. The Chitimba Bay locality is important for maintaining the geographic identity of the species: males from this area should not be indiscriminately mixed with other Aulonocara if hybridization is to be avoided. Wild specimens should be acclimated carefully, since transport and sudden water changes can place considerable stress on them.

Appearance and physical characteristics

Aulonocara maulana has a relatively deep, laterally compressed body and a terminal mouth suited to searching through sand. The adult male displays an electric-blue head, a golden-yellow to orange body and fins often edged in blue. Females remain much duller, with a grayish coloration and occasional visible vertical bars. The dorsal and anal fins may extend into pointed filaments in mature males. Under good conditions, adults reach about 15 cm. As in several peacock cichlids, the sensory pores on the head are important for detecting invertebrates buried in the substrate.

General diet

In the wild, Aulonocara maulana mainly searches the sand for small prey such as insect larvae, tiny crustaceans and other benthic invertebrates. It is not a specialized algae grazer like many mbuna. In the aquarium, provide a varied diet consisting of quality Aulonocara pellets, small frozen foods and occasional suitable prey such as brine shrimp or mysis. Meals should be small and regular to prevent overfeeding and digestive problems. An excessively rich or heavy diet can negatively affect its condition. Flake food may be used as a supplement, but products formulated for African cichlids are preferable.

Essential data

• Origin site: Chitimba Bay
• Local name used: Bicolor 500
• Origin of the scientific name: Aulonocara is the genus name; maulana is the specific name assigned to the species.
• Etymology of the full name: Aulonocara comes from the Greek aulos, flute, and kara, head; maulana is a specific proper name.
• Common/vernacular names: Bicolor 500; Bicolor 500 peacock cichlid
• Family: Cichlidae
• Subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
• Name pronunciation: aw-loh-no-KAR-ah maw-LAH-nah
• Discovery: Ad Konings, 1995
• Maximum adult size: About 15 cm
• Water temperature and pH: 24 to 27 °C; pH 7.6 to 8.6
• Appearance of the watercourse and surrounding vegetation: Rocky and sandy lake shoreline; sparse aquatic vegetation
• Typical tankmates: Aulonocara baenschi, Aulonocara kandeensis, Sciaenochromis fryeri, Labidochromis caeruleus, Copadichromis azureus
• Temperament and behavior: Moderately territorial; active, sand-sifting and more assertive during breeding
• Water depth: Shallow to intermediate littoral zone
• Sexual dimorphism: Male larger and brightly colored; female grayish and less conspicuous
• Bottom structure and flow: Rocks, sand and transition areas; lake water with moderate movement

In your aquarium

To succeed with Aulonocara maulana, provide a spacious aquarium, efficient filtration and a layout combining stable rocks with fine sandy areas. Keep the water warm, alkaline and highly stable, and offer varied food in small portions. Because this is a wild-collected form, gradual acclimation and quarantine are especially advisable. Avoid mixing it with very similar Aulonocara or fish of uncertain breeding origin in order to preserve geographic lineages. Keeping several females per male can also help reduce excessive reproductive pressure.