All fish / Cichlidae

Greenface Peacock Cichlid

Aulonocara saulosi

Also known as greenface aulonocara, greenface peacock, aulonocara greenface, aulonocara sp. greenface, saulosi peacock, green face peacock, aulonocara saulosi greenface

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This is a small peacock cichlid from Lake Malawi. Adult males are metallic blue with a greenish sheen on the face and a pale edge to the dorsal fin. Females are plain brownish grey with faint bars. It is kept for the male's colour and because it stays smaller and calmer than most mbuna.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male with three or more females

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi, Tanzanian coast (endemic)

Breeding

This is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks. It breeds readily in a well-kept tank where there are several females for each male.

Good to know

Do not keep it with other Aulonocara species, because they hybridise easily. Avoid boisterous mbuna, which outcompete it for food and space. Like many Malawi cichlids, it can develop Malawi bloat if fed too much vegetable-poor or fatty food.