1. What is a peacock cichlid?
Peacock cichlids are members of a group of freshwater fish known as the genus Aulonocara, which is found in Lake Malawi, East Africa. They are valued for the bright blue, orange, yellow and red colors that they show, primarily in mature males.
2. Are peacock cichlids aggressive?
Peacock cichlids are not quite as aggressive as Mbuna cichlids, but are not quite as peaceful as Mbuna either. Males are territorial with other males at breeding time and/or defending rock territories.
3. How long do peacock cichlids live?
Peacock’s are a long-lived fish and usually live for 6 to 10 years with good care, with some reaching over 10 years. The most important influences on longevity include stable water quality, a balanced diet and low stress.
4. How big do peacock cichlids grow?
The adult size of the majority of Aulonocara species is 4-6 inches (10-15 cm). Some OB peacocks can grow to be 5 to 8 inches (13 to 20 cm) in length.
5. Are peacock cichlids easy to care for beginners?
Peacock cichlids are moderately easy to keep and are tougher than many other types of cichlids. Those who are new to keeping and are maintaining stable, hard, alkaline water generally find them easy to keep.
6. What size tank do peacock cichlids need?
One male should be housed with 3-4 females in a minimum of 55 gal. tank. Mixed peacock communities or tanks with more than one male should be at least 75 gallons in size.
7. What is the ideal pH for peacock cichlids?
Peacock cichlids will grow at a pH range from 7.5 to 9.0, which is very similar to the pH range of the rivers and lakes of Lake Malawi. Stable carbonate hardness (KH) reduces any sudden changes in pH.
8. What temperature do peacock cichlids need?
Peacock cichlids do best at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C). They may be weakened by a sudden or drastic temperature shift and may experience stress.
9. Do peacock cichlids need hard or soft water?
Peacock cichlids need hard, mineral, alkaline water as in lake Malawi. Over time, they can experience chronic stress due to the soft or acidic water and can have a shorter lifespan as a result.
10. Can peacock cichlids live in a community tank?
Peacock cichlids can be kept with other Malawi cichlids of the same water needs and temperament. Don’t house them alongside timid tropicals or those that enjoy soft/acidic water.
11. What do peacock cichlids eat?
Peacock cichlids are omnivores that thrive on high-quality African cichlid pellets, supplemented with spirulina and occasional treats such as brine shrimp. A varied diet supports healthy digestion and vibrant colour.
12. How often should you feed peacock cichlids?
Peacock cichlids can be fed once per day or twice per day, but should not be fed more than 2-3 minutes per feeding. Malawi bloat is a digestive issue that is more likely to occur in overfed animals, particularly when fed carbs.
13. Can peacock cichlids eat flake food?
Flake foods may be fed to peacock cichlids from time to time, but should not be a diet that is used exclusively as they rapidly lose nutritional value. Better staple foods are high quality cichlid pellets of African origin.High quality African cichlid pellets are better staple foods.
14. Why is my peacock cichlid not eating?
Stress, bad water quality, sickness and other tank mates are all likely causes of poor appetite. Eggs in the mouth are also withheld from feeding until released, which results in females not consuming food either.
15. How do peacock cichlids breed?
Peacock cichlids are maternal mouthbrooders. After spawning, the female collects the fertilised eggs in her mouth, where they develop until the fry are ready to hatch and swim freely.
16. How can you tell male and female peacock cichlids apart?
The brighter colours and sometimes elongated dorsal fin of the male peacock cichlids. Females tend to be smaller and are generally silver/grey with little colour.
17. How long do peacock cichlids hold eggs?
Female peacock cichlids typically hold fertilised eggs for 14 to 28 days, depending on the species and water temperature. They eat very little or nothing during this period.
18. Do peacock cichlids eat their fry?
Peacock cichlids may eat their fry if they become stressed or feel threatened. Offers plenty of hiding areas which will greatly improve fry survival.
19. What fish can live with peacock cichlids?
Suitable tank mates include other Aulonocara species, peaceful Malawi haps, and Synodontis catfish. All tank mates should share similar water chemistry and temperament.
20. Can peacock cichlids live with Mbuna?
Peacock cichlids are not commonly recommended to keep with Mbuna as the latter tend to be more aggressive and competitive. In the event that the aquarium is mixed, it should be large and well aquascaped with close supervision of the fish.
21. Can you keep multiple male peacock cichlids together?
Multiple males can be kept together in a spacious aquarium with plenty of rocks to break up sightlines and reduce aggression. A common stocking ratio is one male to three or four females.
22. Do peacock cichlids fight with each other?
The male peacock cichlids will chase and display to each other when establishing a territory or dominance. However, adequate space is required: serious injuries are less frequent than with other Mbuna species.
23. Why is my peacock cichlid turning pale or losing colour?
Faded colour usually indicates stress, poor water quality, illness, or a subordinate position within the social hierarchy. Improving tank conditions often restores normal colour over time.
24. Why is my cichlid hiding at the bottom of the tank?
Hiding at the bottom is often caused by stress, illness, poor water conditions, or aggression from other fish. Newly introduced cichlids also commonly hide until they adjust to their new environment.
25. What is Malawi bloat and how do I treat it?
Malawi bloat can be a serious condition, resulting in abdominal swelling, inappetence and lethargy. It is associated with poor water quality, a poor diet and secondary infections, and treatment centres on improving water quality, changing the diet and, if a parasitic infection is suspected, using the appropriate medication.
26. How do I know if my cichlid is sick or stressed?
Clamped fins, inappetence, loss of color, rapid breathing, lethargy or odd hiding may indicate a sick or stressed cichlid. Recovering is helped with early treatment.
27. Why does my cichlid have a swollen belly?
A swollen belly may indicate a female carrying eggs, constipation, Malawi bloat, or more serious conditions such as dropsy. Other symptoms, including abnormal faeces or laboured breathing, help identify the underlying cause.
28. How many types of peacock cichlids are there?
Depending on the taxonomy followed, there are around 20 recognised Aulonocara species. New classifications and undescribed populations occasionally change the exact total.
29. What is the difference between a peacock cichlid and an OB peacock?
A standard peacock cichlid is a pure or near-pure Aulonocara species. An OB (Orange Blotch) peacock is a hybrid, usually developed by crossing peacocks with OB Mbuna, producing its distinctive mottled colour pattern.
30. Are peacock cichlids the same as African cichlids?
No. Peacock cichlids are one genus within the much larger African cichlid group. African cichlids include many genera from Lakes Malawi, Tanganyika, and Victoria, while peacock cichlids belong only to the genus Aulonocara.