Otopharynx sp."auromarginatus margrette"

	Photo © Michael Persson
Otopharynx sp."auromarginatus margrette", male from Likoma Island.

Trade names and synonyms
Otopharynx sp."auromarginatus margarette blotch"

Size and appearance
Can reach a maximum size of approximately 18 cm (7 in.). Males are entirely blue except the belly which is bright yellow, dorsal- and anal fin have yellow seems. Females are silver-coloured with a suspicion of green shimmer on the back.

Food
In aquarium is shrimp mix the best food. In the lake it is searching for food in the bottom substrate. Schools of females and non-territorial males could often be seen together feeding on plankton.

Aquarium
Should not be smaller than 350 litres (75 gal.).

Habitat
Occurs in the intermediate zone between rocks and sandy bottoms.

Breeding
Fairly easy to breed if it is kept with at least two females per male.

General
Otopharynx sp."auromarginatus margrette" is a very colourful and beautiful cichlid, which the cichlid exporter Stuart Grant describes like this:

"This fish O. auromarginatus is truly an attractive fish when seen in the lake in full colour. We ship a small but steady number to most importers. Even from the wild at the moment of catching the females especially can have a "hollow belly" - this is something that we try to improve here in the fish house with generous feeding. The colour can fade in captivity but certainly it will recover the colour when in an established tank where it can become fully adjusted. Collection is done at Likoma island only - although other O. species exist elsewhere."

Distribution
The only known population occurs around Likoma Island.