Taxonomy & naming
Aulonocara sp. "Star Sapphire" is a trade label for an undescribed Aulonocara. Imperial Tropicals calls it a close relative of the Mdoka White Lip, a fish that carries the same kind of trade name. The form is undescribed, and its identity and range are not documented in the sources behind the atlas.
Morphology
Imperial Tropicals says the fish does not grow the white lips of the Mdoka form. Adult males are covered in light blue sparkles. The seller adds that they mature very slowly and do not start to show the sparkling pattern until at least a year or two old. No measurements are recorded.
Habitat
Not documented for this form. Genus-level: Aulonocara are endemic to Lake Malawi and live over sand and along the sand-rock boundary.
Feeding
Not documented for this form. Genus-level: peacocks pick small invertebrates from and out of the sand.
Mating
Not documented for this form. Genus-level: males hold a territory or a cave and display to females.
Breeding
Not documented for this form. Genus-level: Aulonocara are maternal mouthbrooders.
In the aquarium
Imperial Tropicals advises patience, since males colour up slowly. Genus-typical care applies: hard, alkaline water, a sand bottom, and rockwork.
Conservation
An undescribed form has no IUCN category, and none is claimed here. Population and range data for it are not documented in the atlas's sources.