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Peacock Cichlid

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Aulonocara spp.

Complete Peacock Cichlid care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 55 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Advanced.

Peacock Cichlid

Quick Answer

Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara spp.) is a captivating and highly sought-after freshwater species. It requires a minimum 55 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 7.8 - 8.6 and temperature range of 24-28°C. As a omnivore with semi-aggressive tendencies, careful tankmate selection is essential.

Intro

Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara spp.) is a captivating and highly sought-after freshwater species. Known for their semi-aggressive nature and distinct appearance, they occupy the middle levels of the aquarium and bring dynamic energy to any setup.

Setup

Peacock Cichlid requires a stable, well-filtered aquarium of at least 55 gallons. They thrive best with moderate water movement and a reliable heater to maintain temperatures around 24-28°C. Ensure pH levels remain consistent between 7.8 - 8.6 to prevent stress and support long-term health.

Feeding

As a omnivore, the Peacock Cichlid is not a picky eater. They should be fed a high-quality base of flakes, sinking pellets, or wafers. Periodic supplementation with frozen or live foods, such as bloodworms or brine shrimp, will boost their health and colors.

Compatibility

Peacock Cichlid has a semi-aggressive temperament. They are compatible with other fish of similar sizes and temperaments. Avoid placing them with aggressive species or tankmates they are listed as incompatible with, such as: discus, corydoras, neon tetra.

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Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
24-28°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
7.8 - 8.6

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Butterflyfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet semanticSimilarity African Cichlid Care Guide: Tank Size & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Bala Shark Care Guide: Tank Size & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Peacock Cichlids should be kept together?
Keep a single specimen, or a group of 8 or more in a dedicated lake cichlid setup of at least 75 gallons (284 liters) with a footprint of 48x18 inches (120x45 cm). Peacock cichlids (Aulonocara spp.) males display bright colors and need proper stocking levels to minimize aggression. Groups under 6 cause dominant males to harass subordinates to death. Maintain a 1 male to 3-4 female ratio. Provide open swimming areas, sand substrate, and multiple rock caves (1 per fish). Overstocking (15-20 fish per 75 gallons) reduces aggression.
What are the exact water parameters for Peacock Cichlids?
Target pH 7.8 - 8.6, General Hardness 10 - 18 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 8 - 12 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 250 - 450 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 500 - 900 μS/cm, and temperature 76°F - 82°F (24°C - 28°C). They require hard, alkaline water with high buffering capacity. Use aragonite or crushed coral substrate to maintain pH stability. Maintain nitrates below 20 ppm with weekly 30% water changes. Use a canister filter with 10x turnover. Ammonia and nitrite must be 0 ppm; they are sensitive to organic waste.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Peacock Cichlids?
They are mostly carnivores requiring 45% protein, 12% fat, 43% plant matter. Feed premium cichlid pellets (Hikari Cichlid Gold), flakes, mysis shrimp, and frozen krill formulas twice daily. Avoid heavy tubifex feeding, which causes bloat. Supplement with spirulina flakes and blanched peas weekly. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Praziquantel is safe. Salt baths up to 5 ppt treat external parasites. Quarantine with metronidazole (5 mg/L) for 10 days. Susceptible to Malawi bloat; avoid high-protein mammalian meat.
How to breed Peacock Cichlids in captivity?
Condition a harem (1 male, 3-4 females) with live brine shrimp and mysis for 3 weeks. Raise temperature to 80°F (27°C) and perform 30% water change with fresh hard water. They are maternal mouthbrooders; the male displays, female lays 20-60 eggs, picks them up, then is fertilized by male's egg-spots. Female incubates for 18-24 days at 78°F (25.5°C), then releases 0.3-inch (8 mm) fry. Strip eggs artificially on day 5-7 for higher yield. Fry accept crushed flakes and baby brine shrimp immediately. Remove female after release.

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