All fish / Cichlidae

Koningsi Peacock

Aulonocara koningsi

Also known as koningsi peacock cichlid, blue orchid peacock, aulonocara koningsi, mbenji peacock, koningsi, オーロノカラ・コーニングシー, 孔雀鲷

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A Malawi peacock cichlid in which adult males turn a shimmering metallic blue with a yellow or orange flush on the flanks and fins, while females stay greyish brown. It is kept for its bright colour 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

250 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females

Diet

Carnivore: sinking cichlid pellets, frozen mysis, brine shrimp and krill

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Mbenji Islands), Malawi

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder: the female carries eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks. It breeds readily in a well kept aquarium with one male and several females.

Good to know

Avoid keeping with other Aulonocara species as hybrids form easily, and do not mix with aggressive mbuna. Males are territorial towards other males of similar colour.