Page 154 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

152 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

Aulonocara baenschi Aulonocara roberti Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
Sunshine Peacock Orange-Shouldered Peacock Butterfly Peacock

ORIGINS East Africa, restricted to Lake Malawi, though ORIGINS East Africa, restricted to Lake Malawi, where it ORIGINS East Africa, widely distributed around the rocky
widely distributed there. is widely distributed. shoreline of Lake Malawi.
SIZE 4 in (10 cm). SIZE 5 ⁄2 in (12 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm).
1
DIET Prepared cichlid foods, live foods, vegetable matter. DIET Prepared cichlid foods, live foods, vegetable matter. DIET Prepared cichlid foods, live foods, vegetable matter.
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard
(150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0). (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0). (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
TEMPERAMENT Relatively peaceful. TEMPERAMENT Males are antisocial. TEMPERAMENT Males are antisocial.
The striking, partially blue coloration associated
with this group of cichlids is the reason they are
Large eyes
known as Peacocks. In this particular species, there
is orange coloration behind the head and along the
underparts, and the caudal fin is vibrantly spotted
with blue. Always pair Peacocks carefully, not just
to prevent hybridization, but also to ensure that
the different morphs from separate parts of the
lake retain their individual characteristics.
Only the male of this species displays brilliant Vertical blue bands Male Butterfly Peacocks grow noticeably larger
yellow coloration on its flanks and has a bluish than females. They can also be identified by their
head. The female is silvery overall and typically more pointed dorsal and ventral fins, as well as
displays slight traces of dark barring on the their elongated pectoral fins. Although the male
sides of the body. A number of different color of this mouth-brooding species has no egg spots
morphs of this cichlid have been described and on its ventral fin to attract the female, fertilization
are available to buy; the pictured example is the of the eggs still occurs in the female’s mouth.
Yellow Regal morph, which is yellowish rather A male should be housed in the company of
than blue on the top half of the head. several females. He will display to them in a cave.

Aulonocara hansbaenschi
COLOR AND SIGHT
Blue Peacock Cichlid coloration near the head. The top of the dorsal
fin has a whitish or pale blue border. Females are The relatively large eyes of cichlids indicate
ORIGINS East Africa, on the eastern coast of Lake duller than males, displaying banded patterning that sight is an important sense for these fish.
Malawi near Masinje; introduced around Thumbi Island. on a whitish background. There is considerable Cichlids generally have good color vision,
SIZE 4 in (10 cm). difficulty in unraveling the relationships between and the differences in coloration between the
DIET Prepared cichlid foods, live foods, vegetable matter. the different Lake Malawi cichlids, and Blue various Lake Malawi cichlids help members of
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard Peacock Cichlids are often described mistakenly the same species to recognize potential mates
(150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0). as Aulonocara nyassae—a related but distinct in areas where several species occur together.
TEMPERAMENT Males are antisocial. species. A tank for these mouth-brooding fish Coloration also gives a clue to the depth at
should incorporate a number of caves, since Blue which these fish live. Blue cichlids tend to
The head of the male Blue Peacock is a rich, royal Peacock Cichlids like to stay well concealed. A occupy shallower areas, while species from
blue, as is much of the body, which also bears power filter will provide good surface movement deeper regions are likely to be predominantly
dark patterning and often yellowish or red to improve oxygenation, replicating the action yellow—an adaptation that helps them spot
of the waves on the surface their own kind in murky water.
of the lake.

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