Aulonocara maylandi Breeding Guide

Breeding the Sulphur Head Peacock (Aulonocara maylandi): harem spawning, sexing, egg-spot fertilisation and up to four-week maternal mouthbrooding from Lake Malawi.

Overview

Aulonocara maylandi, the Sulphur Head Peacock, is endemic to Lake Malawi, with the sulphurhead form known from West Reef and Eccles Reef near Makanjila Point in the southeast and a related population at Kande Island. It inhabits intermediate zones where rocky areas transition to sandy bottoms with scattered rocks. It is a sand-sifting benthophage with enlarged sensory pores on the head and a maternal mouthbrooder.

Sexing

Males are larger and far more vibrant than females. The sulphurhead form shows a bright yellow band running from the snout over the front of the dorsal surface and dorsal fin, contrasting with the body; females are comparatively drab. Maximum length is about 80-100 mm.

Conditioning

As a sand-sifting feeder, the species does best conditioned over a sandy bottom on a varied micropredator diet of fine prepared and small live or frozen foods.

Breeding Setup

A ratio of a single male to four or more females is recommended. The species will often spawn in a community set-up but should be moved to or kept in a specific tank to maximise yield. Include flattish rocks and open areas of sand as potential spawning sites.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

The male displays intense colour and entices a receptive female to his chosen site, often a flat rock or a depression in the sand. The female lays eggs and immediately takes them into her mouth, then attempts to collect the male's anal-fin egg spots, allowing him to fertilise the eggs orally.

Egg & Fry Care

The female broods the eggs for up to four weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. Other Aulonocara species are best avoided, as most are able to hybridise.