Mustax gold (Lamprologus mustax gold) - Cichlid Fish for Sale UK

Golden bodies are rare currency among Tanganyikan cichlids, which makes the Mustax gold (Lamprologus mustax gold) stand out immediately on any stock list. It wears the gold colouration its name promises on a compact 5.5 cm frame, and like the standard Mustax it lives low in the tank among the rockwork, where pale stone shows the colour off best.

Water chemistry on record is hard and alkaline — pH 7.5–8.5 with hardness from 10 up to a notably high 30 dGH — at temperatures of 23–27 °C. The minimum tank is just 60 litres, though its compatibility notes are clear that any tankmates need a spacious, well-structured layout with defined territories. It is a carnivore, rated at moderate care, semi-aggressive in temperament and specifically noted as territorial when breeding; the recorded lifespan is eight years, so plan for a long residency.

That 30 dGH ceiling deserves a second look — it is the highest hardness figure in this corner of our range, and it signals a fish with no patience for soft water in any form. The avoid list says the same thing from the other direction by naming tetras, discus and most livebearers explicitly. Build the tank for hard, alkaline conditions from the first bucket, hold the temperature at 23–27 °C, and the remainder of the care record is undemanding for anyone past their first cichlid. A 60-litre minimum keeps the entry cost modest, too.

Gold Mustax care facts

• ~5.5 cm adult length; ~8 years recorded lifespan
• 60-litre minimum; thrives with rocky structure
• 23–27 °C, pH 7.5–8.5, 10–30 dGH
• Carnivorous diet
• Semi-aggressive; territorial when breeding

House it with other small Tanganyikan cichlids of similar temperament in an appropriately sized, well-structured tank; small Tanganyikan catfish can join only where space and territories genuinely allow. The avoid list covers small fish that may be bullied or eaten, slow-moving or long-finned fish, aggressive large cichlids, and soft-water species such as tetras, discus and most livebearers.

Securing this strain

Gold-form Mustax appear irregularly, so when your hard-water tank is ready it pays to move quickly. Dispatch to any UK address is by licensed live-animal courier with a live arrival guarantee.