All fish / Cichlidae

Lwanda Peacock

Aulonocara aquilonium

Also known as aulonocara lwanda, lwanda peacock cichlid, peacock cichlid lwanda, aulonocara sp. lwanda, aulonocara lwanda yellow, オーロノカラ, 孔雀鲷

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A peacock cichlid from the north of Lake Malawi, where males show a metallic blue head and body with a yellow to orange flush on the flanks and faint vertical bars. Females are a duller greyish brown. It is kept for the bright male colours and its calmer nature compared with mbuna.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females, or an all-male peacock tank

Diet

Carnivore: quality cichlid pellets, frozen mysis, brine shrimp and small invertebrates

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Northern Lake Malawi (Malawi, Tanzania)

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder: the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks. Breeding is fairly easy in a mature tank with one male and several females.

Good to know

Hybridises readily with other Aulonocara species, so avoid mixing females of different peacocks. Avoid very aggressive mbuna and diets rich in plant protein or red meat.