{"product_id":"yellow-peacock-cichlid-aulonocara-sp-baenschi","title":"Yellow Peacock Cichlid | Aulonocara baenschi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Yellow Peacock — also known as the Sunshine or Nkhomo-Benga Peacock — is a blue-faced, sunburst-yellow cichlid and one of the most popular peacocks for sheer warmth of colour. Calm for a Rift Lake cichlid and an active sand-sifter, it reaches around 12-14cm and makes a real showpiece in a Malawi tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAulonocara baenschi is endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, found along the lake's western shoreline in the intermediate zone where rocky shores give way to sandy bottoms scattered with rocks, usually in relatively shallow water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDominant males show a bright blue face fading into a glowing sunburst-yellow body and fins. Females and subordinate males are a plainer silvery-grey, which is normal in a group — only the top male typically shows full colour at any one time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA relatively peaceful species for a Malawi cichlid, though males act aggressively towards other fish with a similar colour pattern, including other peacocks. Best kept as one male with several females, alongside other differently-patterned, calmer Malawi cichlids rather than boisterous mbuna.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA sand-sifting carnivore in the wild, hovering over the substrate to detect small prey. Offer a quality cichlid pellet or flake with a vegetable component as the staple, supplemented with frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia. Feed several smaller meals rather than one large one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExtremely sensitive to deteriorating water quality, so strong, stable filtration and minimum weekly water changes of 30-50% are essential. Provide a minimum of 200 litres, 250 litres or more for a proper group, with fine sand for sifting (avoid coarse gravel, which can damage gills), rockwork with caves, and hard, alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The male displays over a chosen site and the female takes the fertilised eggs into her mouth, carrying them for up to four weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. Keep only one Aulonocara species per tank, as peacocks hybridise readily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAulonocara baenschi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYellow Peacock (Sunshine Peacock, Nkhomo-Benga Peacock)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 12-14cm (males); females smaller\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6-10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (territorial males)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (sand-sifter): cichlid pellet\/flake, frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25-29°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.5-8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 10-25 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful-to-semi-aggressive Malawi cichlid communities\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly (sifts sand; hardy plants like Anubias or Vallisneria tolerated)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther Aulonocara peacocks (differently patterned), calmer Malawi haps such as Copadichromis and Placidochromis, and peaceful mbuna such as Labidochromis caeruleus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAggressive mbuna, which will outcompete and harass peacocks, similarly-coloured male peacocks, and small community or soft-water fish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232782565667,"sku":"BA9314","price":19.75,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232782598435,"sku":null,"price":24.75,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232782631203,"sku":null,"price":29.75,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Yellow_Peacock_Cichlid_5cm_5134250f-f7d7-42b6-9410-e5d5be819fca.jpg?v=1781446621","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/yellow-peacock-cichlid-aulonocara-sp-baenschi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}