Description

The Yellow Peacock Cichlid, or Aulonocara baenschi, is a popular and vibrant freshwater fish native to Lake Malawi in Africa. Known for its brilliant yellow and blue coloration, especially in males, this cichlid is a favorite among aquarists.

Species Overview
Scientific Name: Aulonocara baenschi

Common Names: Yellow Peacock Cichlid, Sunshine Peacock, Benga Peacock, Nkhomo-Benga Peacock, New Yellow Regal Peacock

Origin: Lake Malawi, Africa

Size: Males typically reach 4-6 inches (10-15 cm), while females are smaller.

Lifespan: With proper care, they can live for 6 to 10 years.

Temperament: Semi-aggressive and territorial, especially during breeding. They are generally peaceful compared to other African cichlids.

Diet: Omnivorous. In the wild, they are benthophagous, meaning they sift through sand for invertebrates. In an aquarium, they should be fed a varied diet of high-quality cichlid pellets or flakes, supplemented with protein-rich foods like frozen or live brine shrimp and bloodworms. Avoid overfeeding to prevent health issues like bloat.

Aquarium Care and Requirements
To keep a Yellow Peacock Cichlid healthy and vibrant, it’s essential to replicate its natural habitat and maintain stable water conditions.

Tank Size: A minimum of 55 gallons (208 litres) is recommended for a small group, with a larger tank being better to reduce aggression and provide ample swimming space.

Water Parameters:

Temperature: 75-82F (24-28C)

pH: 7.5-8.6

Hardness: Hard and alkaline water is essential.

Tank Setup:

Use a fine sand substrate, as they like to sift through it for food. Coarser gravel can damage their gills and mouths.

Include plenty of rocks, caves, and crevices to create territories and provide hiding spots. These structures help to reduce stress and aggression.

Leave open areas of sand for them to forage and swim.

Plants that can tolerate hard water, like Anubias and Java Fern, can be added but are not essential.

Filtration: A robust filtration system is crucial, as cichlids are known for producing a significant amount of waste. Regular, weekly water changes of 20-30% are necessary to maintain water quality.

Compatibility: Yellow Peacock Cichlids do well in a Lake Malawi community tank. Suitable tank mates include other peaceful Aulonocara species, as well as some less aggressive Mbuna cichlids and Haps. It’s best to keep a single male with multiple females (a harem) to disperse aggression. Avoid housing them with overly aggressive fish or very small, peaceful species that might be bullied.

Breeding
Yellow Peacock Cichlids are maternal mouthbrooders. The male will dig a small depression in the sand as a spawning site. After the female lays her eggs and the male fertilizes them, the female will collect the eggs in her mouth and carry them for up to four weeks until the fry are free-swimming. During this time, she will not eat. If you want to increase the survival rate of the fry, you can move the female to a separate breeding tank during this period.