{"product_id":"assorted-peacock-cichlid-aulonocara-sp","title":"Assorted Peacock Cichlid | Aulonocara sp.","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA mixed pick of Aulonocara peacocks to grow on and watch the males develop into metallic blues, reds, oranges and golds. Mild-mannered by Rift Lake standards, these graceful sand-sifters hover over open sand hunting small prey, and make a brilliant, colourful introduction to Lake Malawi cichlids. Males reach around 13–15 cm; females stay smaller and silvery.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAulonocara peacocks come from Lake Malawi in East Africa, where they patrol the sandy zones and rocky margins, sensing tiny invertebrates buried in the sand through sensory pores on the face. The lake is warm, hard and strongly alkaline. A tank with open sand, rockwork retreats and hard, alkaline water recreates their home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDominant males of the various Aulonocara species blaze in metallic blue, red, orange, yellow or a combination, with fine iridescent scaling and flowing fins. This assorted group is sold as young fish that colour up as they mature. Females and juveniles are a plainer silvery-brown, so much of the colour reveals itself as the males grow on.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmong the more peaceable Rift Lake cichlids, but still territorial and semi-aggressive, especially dominant males around their patch. Best kept with one male to several females and mixed with other similarly tempered Malawi haps and peacocks — not with aggressive mbuna, which will bully them. A group spreads aggression and encourages natural behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivorous sand-sifter that feeds on small invertebrates in the wild. In the aquarium offer a quality cichlid pellet alongside frozen foods such as brine shrimp, mysis and cyclops. Avoid feeding too much high-protein mammalian food or excessive bloodworm, which Rift Lake cichlids can struggle to digest — variety and moderation keep them healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 200 L for a group, with more space appreciated. Keep temperature at 24–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.6 and hard, alkaline water, around GH 10–25. Use a sand substrate for natural sifting behaviour, plenty of rockwork for territories, and strong filtration. They generally leave plants alone, so hardy species such as Anubias and Vallisneria can be used.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. After a male displays over his territory and spawns with a female, she holds the fertilised eggs in her mouth for around three weeks, protecting the fry until they are free-swimming. Broods are readily raised by moving the holding female to a separate tank or stripping the fry, which grow on quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAulonocara sp.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeacock Cichlid (assorted)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 13–15 cm (males); females smaller\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (territorial)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (sand-sifter): cichlid pellets, frozen brine shrimp, mysis, cyclops\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 10–25 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, alkaline Rift Lake (Malawi) aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes (with hardy species such as Anubias and Vallisneria)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other Malawi peacocks and haps of similar temperament, and other Aulonocara. Keep one male to several females of each type to reduce aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive mbuna, much larger predatory cichlids, and soft-water community fish that cannot handle hard, alkaline water. Avoid mixing several rival males in a small tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232779911459,"sku":"AA1365","price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232779944227,"sku":"AA1366","price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55304233255203,"sku":"AA3835","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Marble_Peacock_Cichlid_3cm_Aulonocara_sp._Marble_a94eca94-2b55-46a8-a088-f032f898eb89.jpg?v=1781446529","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/assorted-peacock-cichlid-aulonocara-sp","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}