All fish / Cichlidae

Gertrude's Peacock

Aulonocara gertrudae

Also known as gertrudae peacock, aulonocara gertrudae, peacock cichlid gertrudae, aulonocara sp. gertrudae, gertrude peacock, aulonocara gertrudae lupingu, new yellow regal, ปลาหมอสีมาลาวี, アウロノカラ・ゲルトルーダエ, peacock cichlid, 孔雀鲷

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A Lake Malawi peacock cichlid whose males show a bright blue head and body with yellow tones and a scattering of small light spots on the fins and flanks. It is kept for its striking colour and its relatively mild nature compared with mbuna.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Tanzanian coast, e.g. Lupingu and Mbamba Bay area), East Africa

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder: the female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks after spawning on a flat stone or in a pit. Breeding is fairly easy in a well kept species tank with several females per male.

Good to know

Do not keep with other Aulonocara species, as females look alike and hybrids are common in the trade. Avoid boisterous mbuna, which can outcompete and stress this calmer sand dweller.