Aurora Likoma
Metriaclima aurora
Aurora Likoma is a Lake Malawi mbuna from the Likoma Island area, appreciated for its active rock-dwelling behavior and bright male display color. Like most mbuna, it does best in a structured aquarium with plenty of rockwork and carefully chosen tank mates.
Origin and Habitat
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Native Region: Likoma Island area, east coast Mozambique, Lake Malawi.
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Natural Habitat: Intermediate zone where rocky areas meet more open sandy sections.
Physical Characteristics
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Size: 5-6 inches.
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Coloration: Sexually dimorphic; mature males show stronger display color while females and juveniles are more subdued.
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Body Shape: Compact, muscular mbuna body built for moving through rockwork.
Behavior and Temperament
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Temperament: Mildly aggressive.
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Social Behavior: Best kept in a properly stocked mbuna setup with multiple territories and visual barriers.
Aquarium Care
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Tank Size: A 55 gallon aquarium or larger is recommended for adult mbuna groups.
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Water Parameters: 74-84°F, pH 7.4-8.4, hard water.
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Tank Setup: Provide sand, extensive rockwork, caves, and broken sightlines. Keep filtration strong and water conditions stable.
Diet and Feeding
Breeding
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Breeding Type: Maternal mouthbrooder.
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Breeding Notes: Males claim territories among the rocks and display to females. Holding females may be moved to a separate setup if fry survival is the goal.
Tank Mates
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Compatible With: Other similarly sized Lake Malawi mbuna with comparable aggression levels.
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Avoid: Peaceful community fish, very small fish, and overly aggressive species that can dominate the tank.
