Golden mbuna
Melanochromis auratus
A striped gold mbuna and one of the most aggressive Malawi cichlids; it kills rival males, so plan a crowded harem tank of 55 gallons or more.
Key facts
- Body length
- 4.3 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 64 gallons
- Group
- 4+
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Care level
- 3 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Spirulina flakes and pellets, algae; little meat
- Origin
- Lake Malawi, East Africa
- Hardier than27%
- Bigger than63%
- Calmer than14%
Water: their range vs yours
Golden mbuna tank mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Common plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Dwarf gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Leopard sailfin plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Three spot gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Assassin snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Red swamp crayfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Figure eight pufferGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Kissing gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Moonlight gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Paradise fishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Neon tetraGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Neon tetra.Risky
- Harlequin rasboraGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Harlequin rasbora.Risky
- Fancy guppyGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Fancy guppy.Risky
- Panda corydorasGolden mbuna (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Panda corydoras.Risky
- OtocinclusGolden mbuna (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Otocinclus.Risky
- Tiger barbGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Tiger barb.Risky
- Cherry shrimpGolden mbuna eats dwarf shrimp: Cherry shrimp (PROP: мбуна поедают мелких беспозвоночных).Avoid
- Amano shrimpGolden mbuna eats dwarf shrimp: Amano shrimp (PROP: мбуна поедают мелких беспозвоночных).Avoid
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Golden mbuna: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Golden mbuna: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Golden mbuna: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- Peacock cichlidToo aggressive for calm peacock cichlids.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for golden mbuna: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 11 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 19.96 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 6.93 BU
- Min. water
- 205 L net
- Min. footprint
- 120 × 45 cm per group
- Group
- 4+ (best 12)
- Swims in
- bottom, middle
- Flow
- moderate
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore plant
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Care notes
Golden mbuna grow to about 4.5 inches and carry bold black and gold stripes. They are incredibly aggressive to their own kind: subordinate males are often killed, and even females fight.
Treat 55 gallons as the absolute minimum, with one male, at least three females and a deliberately crowded rock-filled tank to spread the aggression. Avoid similar-coloured species and keep the diet mostly vegetable.
Questions
What size tank does a golden mbuna need?
At least 64 gallons (205 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 4.3 inches without fins.
How many golden mbuna should be kept together?
Keep at least 4, ideally 12 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do golden mbuna need?
75–82 °F, pH 7.6–8.8 and 10–25 dGH. Golden mbuna come from Lake Malawi, East Africa.
How long do golden mbuna live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with golden mbuna?
Good tank mates include Betta, Angelfish, Common pleco, Dwarf gourami and Leopard sailfin pleco. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.