All fish / Cichlidae

Fairy Cichlid

Aulonocara jacobfreibergi

Also known as jacobfreibergi peacock, freiberg's peacock, eureka red peacock, fairy peacock, undu reef peacock, jacobfreibergi, aulonocara jacobfreibergi eureka, otter point peacock, アウロノカラ・ヤコブフライベルギー, 孔雀鲷, 雅各布孔雀

Males of this Lake Malawi peacock cichlid have a shimmering blue head and fins over a yellow to orange body crossed by faint dark bars, while females stay a plain greyish brown. It is one of the calmer Malawi cichlids, so it suits rock-and-sand tanks with other peaceful haps and peacocks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

13 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

250 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females

Diet

Carnivore: sinking pellets, frozen mysis, brine shrimp and bloodworm in moderation

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania)

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder: the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks before releasing them. Breeding is fairly easy in a well kept tank with several females per male.

Good to know

Males are territorial towards other males and similar blue species, and it hybridises readily with other Aulonocara, so avoid mixing peacock species. Avoid boisterous mbuna, which bully it.