Emperor Cichlid Blue - Aulonacara stuartgranti

The Blue Emperor Cichlid is a colorful and much sought-after representative from Lake Malawi, which is scientifically also called Aulonocara stuartgranti. It belongs to the so-called Nonmbunas and is a quite peaceful aquarium inhabitant, which stands out primarily thanks to its great color in the aquarium and makes the hearts of cichlid fans beat faster and can also be easily socialized and bred.

Typical for the Aulonocara stuartgranti is the high-backed physique with the narrow flanks. The mouth has lip bulges, with which the animals search especially in the sand for food, they chew through the substrate. The eyes are relatively large and yellow. In the basic color they shine navy blue, in places with pretty yellow markings, which extend over the tail fin. In places they show darker banding. The dorsal fin is pointedly extended and turquoise fringed. The ventral fins are also pointedly extended and somewhat elongated in males. Females, unlike males, develop more rounded anal fins and less intense colors. The animals grow to about 13 centimeters in size.

Like other Aulonocara species the Blue Emperor Cichlid is a mouthbrooder, which can be bred in the aquarium. The keeping with a clear surplus of females is to be emphasized here. Larger live and frozen foods can be used to get the animals in the mood. Raising the water temperature to about 27 °C can be helpful. When the female is ready, she lays her eggs on flat stones or even offered slates on the substrate and collects them afterwards with her mouth. The male, which is ready to spawn, presents his so-called egg spot to her, which is located on his anal fin. Just as the female is about to collect the supposed egg, the male releases his sperm and fertilizes the clutch in the female's mouth. The female incubates the clutch for about 3 weeks. She also cares for the hatched larvae until they can swim free and feed on their own. With dust food like our YoungFeedbut also with infusoria or freshly hatched Artemia or paramecia the young fish can be raised very well.

The aquarium for these great cichlids should have an edge length of at least 140 cm. 300 liters are the lower limit, so that the animals feel well and have enough space. The pH value may be 7.5-8.5, the water a hardness between 9-30 °dGH and a carbonate hardness of 6-30 °dKH. At a temperature of 24-27 °C the animals can be kept well. As in their habitat, the substrate should consist of sand, which the Emperor Cichlids can chew through for food. With stones and smaller rocks, but also with slate plates, a great home can be set up for the fish. Care should be taken that the new reef cannot topple over and injure them. They will also gladly accept smaller caves to take a breather. Since they become somewhat territorial in places, especially during spawning season, these setups also serve as territorial boundaries and privacy screens. With Anubiastheir leaves taste quite unpleasant, the perch aquarium can be greened somewhat. Basically, regular water changes are irreplaceable, some current also provides an increased oxygen content in the water, which supports the well-being of the great cichlids.

They can be socialized with other Aulonocara species. Also suitable are other peaceful representatives, which come from similar water parameters and are not too brash, like other Nonmbunas or Utakas. Invertebrates live rather dangerous and represent a variety on their menu, why dwarf shrimps, snails and kebabs are rather not suitable for a socialization in the perch aquarium.

The carnivorous Blue Cichlid can be fed easily and quite comfortably in the aquarium. It readily accepts commercially available dry or flake food for carnivorous ornamental fish, but also sticks, pellets and occasionally tabs. Live or frozen food spice up the diet of the animals and can therefore be offered to them regularly. Only red mosquito larvae should be avoided, as they can cause digestive problems. Artemia, white Mosquito larvaebut also Daphnia or enchytraea they pounce with enthusiasm.

Our food recommendation: NatureHolic Cichfeed is a great staple food for all carnivorous cichlids in the aquarium, which perfectly meets their requirements for food composition. The tasty pearls are also very well eaten by larger cichlids. Thanks to their soft texture, NatureHolic Cichfeed food pearls are gentle on the mouth and can be eaten very well by the fish.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.