webs counters
Aulonocara sp."chitande type masinje" Nametumbwe


Aulonocara sp."chitande type masinje" is found in the southeastern part of the lake between Fort Maguire and Chiloelo. They are living there in intermediate zones from rocks to sand but mainly above the sandbottom. This variant is found in the neighbourhood of Nametumbwe, between Ntekete and Fort Maguire.


In the lake the males of these species can grow to 9 cm, in the aquarium however they can grow taller because of a good feeding. The males can then grow to about 13 cm, females grow to about 9 cm.


Aulonocara sp."chitande type masinje" 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.