Red Shoulder Peacock care guide
Red Shoulder Peacock (Aulonocara hansbaenschi) — minimum tank 300 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Aulonocara hansbaenschi ("Red Shoulder Peacock") is a Malawi peacock cichlid with a metallic blue head and dorsal area and a deep orange-red shoulder patch in males. Adults reach about 13 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Aulonocara
- Scientific name: Aulonocara hansbaenschi
- Common synonyms: Red Shoulder, Hansbaenschi
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Malawi, where it inhabits the sand-and-rock transition zone of the mid-littoral. The lake is hard and alkaline — pH 7.8-8.6, KH 6-15 — with stable warm temperatures. Males hold territories around isolated rocks at the sand interface, while females and juveniles roam the open sand.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L (79.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 10-13 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
A sand-sifting invertebrate predator that locates small crustaceans and insect larvae buried in the substrate using highly sensitive sensory pores on the snout. In aquaria a cichlid pellet of moderate protein, supplemented with frozen mysis, Artemia and bloodworm in moderation, gives strong colour and condition; avoid the high-vegetable diet used for true mbuna.
Compatibility
Less aggressive than most mbuna and well suited to a "Malawi Hap and Peacock" tank with sand substrate, large open swimming areas and scattered rockwork. Keep one male to several females; do not mix with rock-dwelling mbuna that will dominate the bolder males. Different colour-form peacocks hybridise readily and should be kept apart.
Breeding
A polygamous maternal mouthbrooder. The male digs a shallow nest beside a rock and displays to attract females; each female collects fertilised eggs into her mouth and incubates them for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming fry that hide among the rocks.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: see species page. Most Aulonocara are widely distributed in Lake Malawi and assessed as Least Concern, though several deep-water and locality-restricted forms are more vulnerable to collection pressure.
Aulonocara hansbaenschi Breeding Guide
Overview
Aulonocara hansbaenschi, the Red Shoulder Peacock, is endemic to the southeastern shoreline of Lake Malawi, recorded from several localities, and inhabits intermediate zones where rocky areas give way to sand with scattered rocks at depths of about 3-6 m. It is a sand-sifting benthophage, taking mouthfuls of substrate and using enlarged sensory pores on the head to detect prey. It is a maternal mouthbrooder.
Sexing
Males are notably larger and more colourful than females, which are far less colourful, ranging from grey to brown in wild-type fish. The sexes become distinguishable as the males develop colour, typically from a few months of age.
Conditioning
Suit the diet to a sand-sifting feeder: fine-grade prepared foods, live or frozen chironomid (bloodworm) larvae and some vegetable matter keep breeding fish in condition over a sandy bottom.
Breeding Setup
A single male to four or more females is recommended; the species will often spawn in a community set-up but is best maintained in a dedicated tank to maximise fry yield. Provide a sandy substrate with rocky caves matching its natural intermediate habitat.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The female lays eggs and picks them up into her mouth. The male's anal-fin egg spots resemble eggs, so the female attempts to collect them and the male releases milt, fertilising the eggs inside her mouth.
Egg & Fry Care
The female carries the brood for up to four weeks before releasing fully free-swimming fry. Other Aulonocara species are best avoided in the breeding tank, as most are able to hybridise.