Sunshine Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara baenschi) Care Guide
A brilliantly yellow peacock cichlid from Lake Malawi with a blue face and dorsal fin. Males are among the most vividly colored of all Aulonocara species.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Aulonocara baenschi is a species in the family Cichlidae. A brilliantly yellow peacock cichlid from Lake Malawi with a blue face and dorsal fin. Males are among the most vividly colored of all Aulonocara species. Peaceful compared to mbuna, best kept with other peacock species.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Aulonocara
- Scientific name: Aulonocara baenschi
- Other names: Benga Peacock, Aulonocara Baenschi
- Origin: Africa, Lake Malawi
Habitat
Aulonocara baenschi is a peacock cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, where it lives over the transition between sand and rock. It uses sensory pits on the head to detect invertebrates in the substrate; males show bright yellow-blue breeding colour.
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: 10-13 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
- Position in tank: middle
- Compatible tank mates: Other Peacock Cichlids, Synodontis Petricola, Bristlenose Pleco
- Avoid with: Mbunas, Small Fish, Shrimp
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: mouthbrooder
- Breeding difficulty: intermediate
Sunshine Peacock (Aulonocara baenschi) Breeding Guide
Overview
Aulonocara baenschi is a maternal mouthbrooder endemic to Lake Malawi, recorded from Nkhomo Reef and nearby areas, where it lives over sandy zones interspersed with rocks. Males are territorial while females live in small schools. In captivity it spawns readily in a harem arrangement.
Sexing
Adult males are larger and far more colourful than females, and they carry egg-like spots on the anal fin. Females remain plainer. Fish become reliably distinguishable by sex at around four months of age.
Conditioning
House a single male with four to six females to spread his attention and reduce harassment. Condition the group well before spawning so females come into breeding condition together.
Breeding Setup
Provide flattish rocks and open areas of sand to serve as spawning sites. Keeping several females per male is the key to a stable spawning group.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The male establishes a spawning site and performs courtship displays. The receptive female lays eggs and immediately takes them into her mouth. She is then drawn to the egg-spots on the male's anal fin; as she attempts to collect these, the male releases milt and the eggs are fertilised inside her mouth.
Egg & Fry Care
The female incubates the brood for up to about four weeks and normally does not eat during this period. Newly released fry may still carry yolk and need no supplemental food until it is absorbed; once that happens, Artemia (brine shrimp) nauplii or similar foods can be offered. Some breeders artificially strip fry at roughly the two-week stage to rear them separately.
Common Challenges
Excessive male aggression toward a lone female is the main risk, which the harem ratio addresses. A stressed holding female may swallow or spit the brood early, so minimise disturbance during the incubation period.