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Aulonocara brevinidus mainly is found along the eastern coast of the lake: in the northern part for example between Manda and Lupingu, along the coast of Mosambique for example near Chiloelo, Mala Point and Wikihi, and in the southern part along the coast of Malawi near Ntekete and Nkhomo Reef. They are also found near Kande Island on the western coast. Mainly they are living there above slightly muddy bottoms in the neighbourhood of an estuary. These examples were found in the neighbourhood of Masimbwe Island southern from Likoma Island. In the lake the males of these species can grow to 13 cm, in the aquarium however they can grow taller because of a good feeding. The males can then grow to about 16 cm, females grow to about 12 cm. Aulonocara brevinidus is searching the sand for food and lives mainly of the invertebrates they find in the sand. They are quietly hanging above the sandbottom and "listen" to the sand. When they "hear" their prey, they take a big bite of sand and jig this sand through their gills so that the invertebrates stay in their mouth. It`s a quiet, peaceful cichlid which can be hold best with other quiet species, mbuna are generally too aggresive. In the aquarium they are comfortable with any food. They take everything they get offered, like spirulina pellets, mysis, artemia, cyclops and shrimp-peas mix. 
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