Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara nyassae) Care Guide
One of the most colorful African cichlids, named for the dazzling peacock-like display of blues, reds, and yellows in males. Native to Lake Malawi and relatively peaceful for an African cichlid.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Aulonocara nyassae is a species in the family Cichlidae. One of the most colorful African cichlids, named for the dazzling peacock-like display of blues, reds, and yellows in males. Native to Lake Malawi and relatively peaceful for an African cichlid. Many color varieties exist, both natural and selectively bred.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Aulonocara
- Scientific name: Aulonocara nyassae
- Other names: Aulonocara
- Origin: Africa, Lake Malawi
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Malawi in the East African Rift, where it inhabits intermediate rocky-sandy zones at depths from a few metres to over 20 m. Males develop intense blue and yellow nuptial colouration; the genus Aulonocara comprises around 20 described species often called peacock cichlids.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Adult size: 10-15 cm
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
- Difficulty: intermediate
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: semi-aggressive
- Swimming level: middle
- Compatible tank mates: Other Peacock Cichlids, Synodontis Petricola, Bristlenose Pleco
- Avoid with: Mbunas, Small Tetras, Shrimp
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: mouthbrooder
- Breeding difficulty: intermediate
Peacock Cichlid Breeding Guide (Aulonocara)
Overview
Peacock cichlids of the genus Aulonocara are colourful haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi. They are maternal mouthbrooders. The record species Aulonocara nyassae is poorly documented in the wild and is known mainly from the holotype, so the breeding behaviour described here follows the well-studied genus Aulonocara as bred in aquaria.
Sexing
Adult males are larger and far more colourful than females, which are comparatively drab and silver-grey. Reliable sexing of fry is generally possible from around four months of age.
Conditioning
Females in the 7.5 to 10 cm range and around two to four years old are considered the best producers when not bred repeatedly. Lake Malawi water is hard and alkaline; reported breeding ranges are a pH of about 7.5 to 9.0 and a temperature of about 25 to 29 degrees Celsius.
Breeding Setup
Provide rockwork over sand. The male establishes and defends a breeding site, often a shallow depression he constructs in the substrate. Keeping several females per male helps spread male attention.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The male flutters or dances alongside a willing female until she lays a batch of eggs and immediately takes them into her mouth. Fertilisation occurs as the female attempts to mouth the egg-spots on the male's anal fin and receives milt, and the process repeats until all eggs are laid.
Egg & Fry Care
The female carries the brood in her mouth for up to about four weeks (around 28 days), and warmer temperatures may speed development. A brooding female shows a distended jaw and typically refuses food. Brood size ranges from just a few to a couple of dozen fry. Released fry may retain a yolk sac and, once foraging, accept Artemia nauplii or similar.
Common Challenges
Hybridisation between similar-looking Aulonocara forms is a major concern, so breed identified, single-variety stock to keep lines pure. Stressed females may swallow or spit out a brood prematurely; a quiet, low-traffic tank improves holding success.