Flavescent Peacock Care Guide
Aulonocara stuartgranti is a sand-foraging peacock cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, kept for its metallic-blue and yellow males.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The flavescent peacock (Aulonocara stuartgranti) is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, described by Meyer & Riehl in 1985. The common name refers to the yellowish coloration, and males show metallic blue with yellow to orange flanks. The specific epithet honours cichlid exporter Stuart M. Grant. It is one of the more popular and variable Malawi peacock cichlids.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Aulonocara
- Scientific name: Aulonocara stuartgranti
Habitat
The species lives in Lake Malawi across Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania, occurring along the coast between Ngara and Chizi Point. According to FishBase it is benthopelagic; some individuals are very shy and hide permanently in caves, while others form large schools over sand.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (record); FishBase reports 22-26 °C
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 8-20 °dGH
- Maximum size: about 11.8 cm (FishBase)
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
Aulonocara stuartgranti is a benthic forager that feeds on sand-dwelling invertebrates, detecting prey in the substrate. In aquariums it is an omnivore and accepts prepared foods; a fine sand substrate suits its natural sifting behaviour.
Compatibility
It is a relatively mild, middle-water Malawi cichlid that does best in communities of other peacocks and haplochromines. More boisterous mbuna and very small fish are best avoided. The record lists Synodontis catfish as suitable tankmates.
Breeding
Like other Aulonocara, it is a maternal mouthbrooder; the female holds and incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018).
Flavescent Peacock Breeding Guide
Overview
Aulonocara stuartgranti is a peacock cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, found in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. All Aulonocara species are maternal mouthbrooders, and the genus is strongly sexually dichromatic even by haplochromine standards, which makes pairing and brood management straightforward in a suitable hard-water tank.
Sexing
The species is strongly dichromatic. Males develop intense colour, including a metallic blue face with yellow to orange flanks, while females stay drab brown. Only dominant males show full colour, so sexing is most reliable once males mature.
Conditioning
Peacocks are omnivores. A varied diet keeps broodstock in condition; like other Lake Malawi cichlids they should be kept on rich but balanced foods and clean, stable hard water within the lake's parameters.
Breeding Setup
Provide plenty of rocks and open sand. Lake Malawi cichlids thrive at pH 7.5-8.4 and 25-29 °C (77-84 °F). A harem of one male to several females spreads aggression and lets the dominant male court each female in turn over a chosen flat surface or pit.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Spawning follows the typical haplochromine pattern: the female lays a small batch of eggs, immediately takes them into her mouth, and collects sperm to fertilise them. Stable warm, hard water and a settled dominant male are the main triggers.
Egg & Fry Care
The female incubates eggs and fry in her mouth and does not feed during this period. Once she releases free-swimming fry they accept finely powdered foods and newly hatched brine shrimp; rearing them away from larger fish reduces predation.