An intriguing addition to any aquarium, the Aulonocara Bensh is perfect for people who enjoy vivid, colorful fish. This species, which is sometimes called the Bensh Cichlid, is native to the lakes of East Africa. It stands out in its natural environment due to its vibrant colors and active lifestyle. Aquarium enthusiasts highly appreciate the Aulonocara Bensh because of its striking appearance and calm temperament.
The Aulonocara Bensh is a true visual delight in terms of appearance. It stands out in any tank thanks to its vibrant blues and yellows among its rich color scheme. These hues can change based on the fish’s state of mind, age, and surroundings, giving your aquarium design a stunning and unexpected touch.
Although the Aulonocara Bensh is comparatively easy to care for, there are a few key points to remember. It grows best in a clean, warm tank with a well-functioning filtration system. This fish can be kept healthy and lively by providing the right conditions and food, so it will always be the focal point of your aquatic display.
Incorporating an Aulonocara Bensh into your aquarium not only improves its aesthetic appeal but also introduces a hint of the African lakes into your house. It is a rewarding fish to care for and watch because of its vibrant colors and interesting behavior. Regardless of your experience level with aquaristing, this cichlid will undoubtedly become a treasured addition to your aquatic environment.
| Aspect | Description |
| Common Name | Aulonocara Bensh |
| Scientific Name | Aulonocara sp. |
| Origin | Lake Malawi, Africa |
| Size | Up to 6 inches (15 cm) |
| Diet | Carnivorous, eats small invertebrates and high-quality flakes |
| Tank Requirements | Requires a large tank with good filtration |
| Water Conditions | pH 7.8-8.6, Temperature 76-82°F (24-28°C) |
| Behavior | Generally peaceful, can be territorial |
| Tank Mates | Compatible with other Malawi cichlids and peaceful species |
Because of its remarkable colors and distinctive habits, the Aulonocara Bensh is a fascinating and colorful cichlid species that stands out in the aquarium community. This fish, which is indigenous to the African region of Lake Tanganyika, is prized for both its serene disposition and its exquisite, glittering scales. We’ll go over the best tank setup, basic maintenance advice, and Aulonocara Bensh compatibility in this post to help you provide this gorgeous fish with a healthy home.
Description
Male adults can grow up to 12 cm in length, while female adults can grow up to 9 cm. The lower portion of the head and the edge of the spinal fin are blue in males, while the rest of the body is bright yellow. Females have much more subdued appearances, with gray skin and dark, vertical stripes down the sides of their bodies.
In a nutshell:
- Aquarium volume — from 200 l.
- Temperature — 25–29 °C
- pH value — 7.6–9.0
- Water hardness — from medium to high hardness (10–25 dGH)
- Substrate type — sandy
- Lighting — moderate
- Brackish water — no
- Water movement — weak
- Fish size — 9–12 cm.
- Feeding — any with plant and protein additives
- Temperament — relatively peaceful
- Keeping in a harem with one male and several females
Feeding
They eat at the bottom of the food chain in the wild, using their mouths to sift through soil and extract small invertebrates, crustaceans, plants, etc. Specialized sinking food meant for Malawi cichlids in home aquariums should be preferred as it has all the essential elements of plant and protein origin. If needed, large flakes or granules can be crushed to facilitate the fish’s swallowing. Feeds made at home are not accepted. Feed tiny amounts three to four times a day.
You will need a tank that holds at least 200 liters if you want to maintain a small group of adult fish. The design incorporates a number of sizable stones, rocks, or other ornamental elements, a sandy substrate, and modest plants like Anubias, Vallisneria, Sagittaria subulata, and similar species. Both pH and dGH levels are high in the water. Hydrochemical conditions will be kept at the right level by installing a productive filtration system and replacing 15–20% of the water volume with fresh water each week. Purchasing filters with materials that raise the water’s hardness is advised in order to prevent significant variations in dGH.
It’s important to keep in mind that the substrate should only be sandy because tiny pebbles and gravel can lodge in the fish’s gills or mouth during feeding.
Behavior and compatibility
Males are territorially aggressive and will inevitably clash with females in a small aquarium. They will also attack fish that are similar in color. Other than that, they get along well with members of different species. The best option is to have one male yellow peacock cichlid with multiple females in the vicinity of peaceful medium-sized fish.
Breeding / reproduction
The appearance of offspring of the Yellow Bensha is very likely in favorable conditions. With the onset of the mating season, the male chooses a certain area on the bottom of the aquarium – the future spawning site. Then he begins active and sometimes very persistent courtship. When the female is ready, she accepts courtship and lays several dozen eggs, which she immediately takes into her mouth. At this point, the male releases a seed and the eggs are fertilized in the mouth. He no longer participates in the protection and care of the offspring.
The fry spend the entire incubation period and the first weeks of life in the mouth of the female. During this time, she does not eat anything and can noticeably lose weight. If before spawning the supply of food was not regular or the diet was poor, then the female will most likely release the fry earlier, in the worst case, she will eat them.
During spawning, it is advisable to transfer the tankmates to another tank (if any) to avoid possible attacks from the male, or vice versa, place the cichlids there, and return them back after the mating season.
To preserve the fry, they are kept in a separate aquarium with identical water conditions.
It’s important to keep in mind that keeping closely related species (those mentioned above) in the same aquarium can result in hybrid offspring.
In conclusion, any aquarium enthusiast wishing to add a colorful and lively fish to their tank will find the Aulonocara Bensh to be an intriguing option. It is a remarkable addition to a well-kept aquarium because of its vibrant colors and generally calm disposition. This fish can thrive and add a splash of beauty to your aquatic setup given the correct care and conditions.
Recall that maintaining an appropriate environment is essential to the health and happiness of your Aulonocara Bensh. They do best in tanks with consistent water quality, plenty of room, and friendly tank neighbors. Maintaining optimal health and vibrant colors of your fish will require regular care and a well-balanced diet.
Overall, aquarists of all skill levels can enjoy a magnificent fish species with the Aulonocara Bensh. You will be able to enjoy this amazing cichlid in your aquarium by learning about its requirements and setting up a friendly environment for it.
