Usisya Peacock (Aulonocara stuartgranti) Care Guide
The Usisya Peacock is a regional variant of Aulonocara stuartgranti, a sand-and-rock peacock cichlid from Lake Malawi. It is a peaceful maternal mouthbrooder.
Overview
The Usisya Peacock is a regional colour variant of Aulonocara stuartgranti, a peacock cichlid from northern Lake Malawi. The species was described by Meyer & Riehl in 1985 and its epithet honours Stuart M. Grant (1937-2007), a Lake Malawi cichlid exporter. Dominant males of this form show a metallic blue body with a yellow flush on the flanks.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Aulonocara
- Scientific name: Aulonocara stuartgranti "Usisya"
- Authority: Meyer & Riehl, 1985
Habitat
FishBase records Aulonocara stuartgranti as endemic to Lake Malawi, occurring along the coast between Ngara and Chizi Point. It is a freshwater benthopelagic fish; some individuals are shy and hide in caves while others form large schools over sand at the sand-rock interface.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Substrate: sand with some rockwork
- Lifespan: 7-10 years
Diet
The Usisya Peacock is a carnivore. FishBase reports that Aulonocara stuartgranti feeds on sand-dwelling invertebrates (trophic level about 3.5), which it detects in the sand. A diet of quality prepared and frozen invertebrate foods suits it.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful Aulonocara that mixes well with other peacocks and gentler haplochromines such as Copadichromis and Placidochromis, along with Synodontis petricola. Aggressive mbuna, Tropheus, Petrochromis and small soft-water fish such as Discus and rams are unsuitable companions.
Breeding
Aulonocara are maternal mouthbrooders; the female incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018).