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Aulonocara gertrudae is found in the entire lake in sandy, muddy environments on places where rivers flow into the lake. This variant is found near Nkanda in the northeastern part of the lake. In the lake the males of these species can grow to 14 cm, in the aquarium however they can grow taller because of a good feeding. The males can then grow to about 17 cm, females grow to about 13 cm. Aulonocara gertrudae 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. 
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