It is endemic to the southeastern and southwestern arms of Lake Malawi.

[2] Aulonocara stonemani is found in deep waters (55–80 metres (180–262 ft)), over a substrate consisting of mud or sand with sediment layer.

Its diet consists of feeds on small invertebrates sifted from the sediment.

The maximum total length is 6 centimetres (2.4 in).

[1] The specific name honours the Chief Fisheries Officer for Malawi, J. Stoneman, who helped ensure the success of the expedition the type was collected on.