All fish / Cichlidae

Chitande peacock

Aulonocara ethelwynnae

Also known as chitande aulonocara, chitande type north, aulonocara chitande, ethelwynnae peacock, chitande peacock cichlid, aulonocara sp. chitande, オーロノカラ・エセルウィンナエ, 孔雀鲷

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This is a small peacock cichlid from Lake Malawi. Males are dusky brown to bluish, with dark vertical bars, a pale blaze on the head and yellowish or orange tints in the fins. It is fairly modest in colour next to other peacocks, but it is one of the smallest and calmest Aulonocara, so it appeals to keepers with medium-sized Malawi tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Chitande Island area, Malawi), endemic

Breeding

It is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female carries the eggs and fry for about three to four weeks. Breeding in hard, alkaline water is quite easy, and you can strip-feed the young or leave them among rockwork.

Good to know

Keep it apart from other Aulonocara species, because they hybridise readily. Avoid aggressive mbuna, which will bully this small, gentle fish.