Sulfur Head Peacock care guide
Sulfur Head Peacock (Aulonocara maylandi) — minimum tank 300 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Aulonocara maylandi ("Sulfurhead Peacock") is a Malawi peacock cichlid with a striking yellow head and dorsal fin contrasted against a darker blue body in males. Adults reach about 13 cm and inhabit the sand-rock interface at moderate depths.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Aulonocara
- Scientific name: Aulonocara maylandi
- Common synonyms: Sulphurhead
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: 11-13 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 7-10 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 maylandi Breeding Guide
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.