Common name
Peacock cichlid group guide
Scientific name
Aulonocara spp.
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Lake Malawi cichlids
Environment
Freshwater; hard alkaline Lake Malawi-style aquarium
Origin
Lake Malawi, East Africa; exact locality varies by species
Care level
Intermediate
Adult size
10–18 cm depending on species and sex
Expected lifespan
6–10 years, with variation among species and conditions
Minimum housing
At least 250 L and 120 cm long for a planned group; larger for mixed-species or all-male displays
Temperature
24–28 °C
pH
7.6–8.6
Hardness / minerals
10–20 dGH; 8–15 dKH
Salinity
Freshwater; do not use salt as a substitute for mineral buffering
Lighting
Moderate, with shaded rock retreats
Placement / swimming zone
Sand-bottomed open areas beside rock structure

Identity and search names

Genus-level guide for Aulonocara peacock cichlids. Exact species, locality and hybrid status determine adult size, colour claims and responsible breeding.

Search names: Peacock cichlids, Aulonocara, Malawi peacocks

Environment and housing

Fine sand for natural sifting, stable rock piles with visual barriers, open swimming room and powerful biological filtration.

Water stability: Maintain 24–28 °C; pH 7.6–8.6; minerals: 10–20 dGH; 8–15 dKH; salinity: Freshwater; do not use salt as a substitute for mineral buffering. Stability, dissolved oxygen and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact reading.

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Omnivorous micropredator; quality Malawi-cichlid pellets with small crustacean and insect-based foods

Feeding routine: Use quality Malawi-cichlid pellets with measured crustacean and insect-based foods once or twice daily. Avoid chronic overfeeding and unsuitable high-fat mammal foods.

Social structure and compatibility

One male with at least three females of the same confirmed species, or a carefully planned all-male display

Combine only with robust Lake Malawi fishes of compatible size and feeding style. Avoid highly aggressive mbuna and avoid mixing look-alike females when hybridisation is possible. Retain a cycled separation option for aggression, feeding exclusion, predation, injury or disease.

Adult load and life support

Projected adult load: High for an adult harem or all-male display because 10–18 cm cichlids produce heavy waste and defend large areas.

Filtration: Use oversized mature biological filtration, accessible mechanical prefilters and circulation that reaches behind rock structures.

Aeration: Maintain strong gas exchange and backup air; warm alkaline cichlid systems can lose oxygen quickly when crowded.

Maintenance: Perform substantial matched water changes, siphon open sand, clean prefilters frequently and track aggression, hybrid risk and female body condition.

Breeding and reproduction

Maternal mouthbrooder; the female carries fertilised eggs and developing fry. Do not compromise adult welfare, genetic identity, quarantine capacity or lawful rehoming to attempt breeding.

Quarantine, welfare and risk

Quarantine: Quarantine new fish in a separate fully cycled system for at least 30 days at the intended temperature and mineral chemistry. Use dedicated equipment; observe appetite, respiration, faeces, skin, fins, gills and behaviour; never add transport water to the display.

Welfare checks: Do not crowd males or use mixed breeding groups that create unidentified hybrids. Track individual body condition, feeding access, respiration, injury, abnormal hiding or aggression and use of the intended swimming zone.

Important warning

This is a genus guide, not a substitute for identifying the exact species or domestic hybrid.

Main risk: Hybridisation, chronic male harassment, overcrowding and unstable alkaline chemistry.

Australian biosecurity and release

Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants, live food or wet equipment into drains, dams or natural waterways. Australian import eligibility is species-specific: check the current permitted ornamental-fish list and BICON conditions by accepted scientific name. Import requires a permit, an approved source country and approved-arrangement isolation. Check current South Australian noxious-fish and movement rules before purchase, sale, transport or disposal.

Current check: Current lawful import, possession or movement must be checked by accepted scientific name. Absence from one state list is not import approval.

Detailed husbandry

Identity Scope
Genus-level guide for Aulonocara peacock cichlids. Exact species, locality and hybrid status determine adult size, colour claims and responsible breeding.
Adult Size And Space
Expected adult size: 10–18 cm depending on species and sex. Minimum permanent housing: At least 250 L and 120 cm long for a planned group; larger for mixed-species or all-male displays. Adult dimensions, group or territory needs, swimming footprint, oxygen demand and waste production matter more than juvenile sale size.
Social Structure
One male with at least three females of the same confirmed species, or a carefully planned all-male display
Swimming Zone
Primary zone: Bottom and middle water. Keep that zone open enough for normal movement, feeding, refuge and escape.
Feeding Ecology
Omnivorous micropredator; quality Malawi-cichlid pellets with small crustacean and insect-based foods
Feeding Plan
Use quality Malawi-cichlid pellets with measured crustacean and insect-based foods once or twice daily. Avoid chronic overfeeding and unsuitable high-fat mammal foods.
Water Stability
Maintain 24–28 °C; pH 7.6–8.6; minerals: 10–20 dGH; 8–15 dKH; salinity: Freshwater; do not use salt as a substitute for mineral buffering. Stability, dissolved oxygen and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact reading.
Adult Projected Load
High for an adult harem or all-male display because 10–18 cm cichlids produce heavy waste and defend large areas.
Filtration
Use oversized mature biological filtration, accessible mechanical prefilters and circulation that reaches behind rock structures.
Aeration
Maintain strong gas exchange and backup air; warm alkaline cichlid systems can lose oxygen quickly when crowded.
Maintenance
Perform substantial matched water changes, siphon open sand, clean prefilters frequently and track aggression, hybrid risk and female body condition.
Habitat Structure
Fine sand for natural sifting, stable rock piles with visual barriers, open swimming room and powerful biological filtration.
Compatibility Plan
Combine only with robust Lake Malawi fishes of compatible size and feeding style. Avoid highly aggressive mbuna and avoid mixing look-alike females when hybridisation is possible. Retain a cycled separation option for aggression, feeding exclusion, predation, injury or disease.
Breeding Plan
Maternal mouthbrooder; the female carries fertilised eggs and developing fry. Do not compromise adult welfare, genetic identity, quarantine capacity or lawful rehoming to attempt breeding.
Quarantine
Quarantine new fish in a separate fully cycled system for at least 30 days at the intended temperature and mineral chemistry. Use dedicated equipment; observe appetite, respiration, faeces, skin, fins, gills and behaviour; never add transport water to the display.
Welfare Checks
Do not crowd males or use mixed breeding groups that create unidentified hybrids. Track individual body condition, feeding access, respiration, injury, abnormal hiding or aggression and use of the intended swimming zone.
Biosecurity And Release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants, live food or wet equipment into drains, dams or natural waterways. Australian import eligibility is species-specific: check the current permitted ornamental-fish list and BICON conditions by accepted scientific name. Import requires a permit, an approved source country and approved-arrangement isolation. Check current South Australian noxious-fish and movement rules before purchase, sale, transport or disposal.
Main Risk
Hybridisation, chronic male harassment, overcrowding and unstable alkaline chemistry.
Overridable Warnings
This is a genus guide, not a substitute for identifying the exact species or domestic hybrid.

Sources

Current accepted identity or qualified trade identity, former names, adult scale, social structure, feeding ecology, adult projected load, filtration, aeration, maintenance, quarantine, welfare, Australian import controls and South Australian movement or no-release obligations were rechecked. AquaNexus wording is original.