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Metriaclima xanthos (before Metriaclima sp."aurora lumbaulo") is mainly living on depths between 15 and 25 metres in a sediment-rich rocky environment however sometimes they can also be found in the more deeper situated intermediate zones from rocks to sand. They can only be found in the neighbourhood of Lumbaulo on the coast of Mocambique. The females on these pictures are F1 offspring of this species. In the lake the males of these species can grow to 12 cm, in the aquarium however they can grow taller because of a good feeding. The males can then grow to about 13 cm, females grow to about 10 cm. Sometimes Metriaclima xanthos can behave quite intolerant against equal species, against other inhabitants they are in general tolerant. You can best keep this species with multiple females and other mbuna in an aquarium with a lot of hiding places. In the lake they are mainly feeding themselves with algae and invertebrates which are living in these algae. 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. Food rich of algae like spirulina pellets or flakes is very important to them so this should not be missing on their menu. 
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