Husseri Peacock care guide
Husseri Peacock (Aulonocara hueseri) — minimum tank 300 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Aulonocara hueseri is a Malawi peacock cichlid endemic to the Likoma Island area. The species is sometimes called the "Nyassa Aulonocara"; adult males display a metallic blue body with white-tipped dorsal and pelvic fins. Adults reach about 12 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Aulonocara
- Scientific name: Aulonocara hueseri
- Common synonyms: Hueser's Peacock, Nyassae White
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: 10-12 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 6-9 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 hueseri Breeding Guide
Overview
Aulonocara hueseri is a peacock cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, originally known from Likoma Island and also recorded from Domwe, Thumbi West, Monkey Bay and Nkhata Bay. Like all Aulonocara it is a maternal mouthbrooder. It is a sand-dwelling benthophage that hovers above the sand, sifting substrate through the gills and using sensory grooves on the head to detect invertebrates buried in it.
Sexing
Dominant males are bright blue with vertical stripes and a yellow belly, and the dorsal fin turns dark when fully mature; females and subordinate males are much less colourful, grey to brown with some barring and at most a hint of male colour. Males grow larger, to about 14 cm, while females reach around 10 cm. Male colour begins to develop at around 5 cm and breeding from roughly 6-7.5 cm.
Conditioning
Provide a varied diet suited to a sand-sifting micropredator: fine prepared foods plus small live and frozen invertebrates keep breeding fish in condition. A sandy bottom lets the fish feed naturally and supports spawning behaviour.
Breeding Setup
A ratio of one male to two or three females is ideal to reduce stress and improve the chance of spawning. Give a sandy substrate with rocks containing holes as hiding places, and keep the fish away from mbuna, which harass peacocks.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The female deposits eggs and takes them directly into her mouth, where fertilisation occurs. As in other Aulonocara, the male's anal-fin egg spots draw the female to attempt to collect them, prompting the male to release milt.
Egg & Fry Care
Broods typically number under 35 eggs and hatch after about three weeks of oral incubation before the female releases free-swimming fry. Because most Aulonocara hybridise readily, avoid mixing other peacock species in a breeding tank.