Page 155 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CICHLIDS/LAKE MALAWI CICHLIDS 153

Aulonocara stuartgranti
Regal Peacock

ORIGINS East Africa, in northwest Lake Malawi, and
ranging down the eastern side to Makanjila Point.
SIZE 4 ⁄4 in (12 cm).
3
DIET Flake, live foods, and vegetable matter.
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard
(150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5–8.0).
TEMPERAMENT Males are antisocial.
These mouth-brooders can be sexed quite easily,
thanks to the contrast between the bright blue
of the males and the grayish appearance of the
females (which are also slightly smaller). Males
clearly display yellow egg spots on their ventral
fin and yellow barring on the tail. In view of the
extensive distribution of this cichlid, however, it
is not surprising that a number of different color
forms have been identified. The one shown here is
known as the Blue Regal. This species has not
proved to be aggressive, so it is suitable for
inclusion in a community tank housing
similar nonaggressive cichlids from
the lake. The young can be reared
easily on brine shrimp and powdered
flake once they have emerged from
their mother’s mouth. Their scientific name
acknowledges the biologist Stuart Grant, who
pioneered the study of Lake Malawi cichlids.

Aulonocara korneliae Cynotilapia afra Chilotilapia rhoadesii
Blue-Gold Peacock Afra Cichlid Rhoadesii Cichlid

ORIGINS East Africa, restricted to Lake Malawi, where ORIGINS East Africa, restricted to Lake Malawi, where it ORIGINS East Africa, in the south of Lake Malawi, where
it occurs in the vicinity of Chisumulu Island. occurs near the northern shoreline. it usually occurs in muddy and often deep waters.
SIZE 3 ⁄4 in (9 cm). SIZE 4 ⁄2 in (12 cm). SIZE 10 in (25 cm).
3
1
DIET Prepared cichlid foods, live foods, vegetable matter. DIET Prepared cichlid foods and live foods. DIET Prepared cichlid foods and live foods.
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 Males are antisocial. TEMPERAMENT Males are antisocial. TEMPERAMENT Males are antisocial.
There are many different color morphs of this
mouth-brooding cichlid, which has a single tooth
in each jaw. Afra Cichlids benefit from the
provision of caves in the aquarium. They dig in the
substrate in search of invertebrates, and the males
also dig as part of courtship displays. As members
of the mbuna group, they should be offered a diet
that includes spirulina algae, which helps to
maintain their coloration.
Long dorsal fin
Alternating vertical bars of blue and black, with The male Rhoadesii Cichlid, shown above, is much
a golden background color, characterize male brighter in color than the female, which is silvery
Blue-Gold Peacocks; females are a dull shade of with two dark stripes, one below the dorsal fin
grayish-brown. Like many Lake Malawi cichlids, and the other along the midline behind the gills.
the Blue-Gold Peacock has become known This cichlid hunts for snails in the wild, and
to science only fairly recently, being identified in although it can be weaned onto alternative foods,
1987. In the tank, use rocks and a sandy any snails in the aquarium will be eaten. The large
substrate to mimic the lake environment. Mosquito Golden-orange morph size of this mouth-brooder means that a breeding
larvae are the favored live food for this species. group requires a particularly spacious aquarium.

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