Aulonocara Aurica

Aulonocara Aurika, the English trade name of Aulonocara Eureka. It is a breeding variety of Aulonocara Freiberg (Aulonocara jacobfreibergi), does not occur in nature. The exact place of origin and the name of the breeder is unknown. Probably bred in Western Europe. It was delivered to the territory of the CIS countries at the end of 1992.

Description

The fish inherited its main morphological features (size, shape of fins) from its predecessor. Adult males reach a length of 17 cm or more, females look somewhat smaller and not so brightly colored. However, depending on the conditions of detention and the quality of the feed, the maximum sizes may vary. In small aquariums, they often grow to only 13–15 cm.

A characteristic feature of this variety is the presence of red flowers in the coloration of males instead of yellow and orange in the male Aulonocara Freiberg. The body pattern is identical and includes vertical dark stripes.

Brief information:

• The volume of the aquarium – from 200 liters.
• Temperature – 25-29°C
• Value pH — 7.6–9.0
• Water hardness – medium to high hardness (10-25 dGH)
• Substrate type – sandy
• Lighting – moderate
• Brackish water – no
• Water movement is weak
• The size of the fish is up to 17 cm.
• Food – any sinking variety of food
• Temperament – conditionally peaceful
• Keeping in a harem with one male and several females

Food

Versatile in nutritional methods. In nature, wild ancestors can hunt small zooplankton in the water column, or sift portions of the soil with their mouths in search of small organisms that take refuge in it.

In the home aquarium, it accepts most popular sinking foods in the form of flakes, pellets, as well as live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp and other invertebrates.

Maintenance and care, arrangement of aquariums

The optimal size of the aquarium for 3-5 fish starts from 200-300 liters. Given the characteristics of nutrition, it is necessary to use sandy soil as a substrate. An additional element of decoration will be piles of stones, boulders, rocks, from which various shelters are formed (grottoes, gorges, caves, etc.).

Aquatic plants are not required, but if desired, it is acceptable to place species that can grow in an alkaline environment, have a strong root system, to avoid accidental uprooting during the feeding process of the Aulonocara Auric.

It is important for long-term maintenance to ensure and maintain a hydrochemical composition of water with high pH and dGH values.

Aquarium maintenance is standard and consists of a weekly replacement of part of the water with fresh water and the removal of accumulated organic waste (food leftovers, excrement). Both procedures are usually combined, by cleaning the soil with a siphon and then adding fresh water.

Behavior and Compatibility

They are considered relatively peaceful representatives of the Malawian cichlids. Able to get along with relatives and other closely related species from among Aulonokar and Utaka. In large aquariums from 1000 liters, they can get along with aggressive Mbuna. In small tanks up to 200 liters, it is recommended to maintain the size of a group with a predominance of females. In confined spaces, males may exhibit territorial behavior due to lack of space.

Breeding / breeding

The breeding process is similar to that of Aulonocara Freiberg. Despite its artificial origin, the Aurika variety is stable and the color characteristics (red colors) are successfully transferred to the next offspring.

Fish diseases

In most cases, the cause of the disease is the external environment. If the fish is kept in unsuitable conditions, is attacked by neighbors in an overcrowded aquarium and lacks food, then the risk of diseases increases many times over. Conversely, being in a supportive environment minimizes the incidence of illness. Read more in the section “Diseases of aquarium fish”.