View Full Version : African cichlid question
Are peacock cichlids (Aulonocara) usually peaceful. Also could someone create a list of peaceful cichlids from lake malawi that grow no larger then 6" thanks.
I think iam going to go with using Aulonocara and Copadichromis type cichlids. What do ya think?
Dragon_Lord_Tia
12-19-2003, 1:06 AM
to prevent cross breeding only have 1 type of aulonacara species per tank unless all males or all females.
i sussgest a depending on size of tank colony of some type of stuartgranti IMO they show the best colours.
maybe
aulonocara stuartgranti 'cobue'
http://www.russutslersfish.com/pictures/peacocks/aulonocara_stuartgranti_cobue_marapoint_dar.jpg
Aulonocara stuartgranti "usisya"
http://adelaideaquariums.com.au/siteimages/fish/freshwater/peacockSGusisya.jpg
ive keep both types and neither of those pics help but in real life they would be some of the best with at least 4 females per male
never take peacocks with out a location this helps alot as you get into the species and once bred helps the buyer also
are females alot less colorful? Iam assuming both pictures were males?
Dragon_Lord_Tia
12-19-2003, 3:36 AM
the females are a very dull brown colour
http://adelaideaquariums.com.au/siteimages/fish/freshwater/peacockSGF.jpg
but when breeding the males colour makes up for the unglyness of the females
their are way to get females to colour up but that stops them from breeding cause of confusion of sexes also i highly dispise that all the way
Dragon_Lord_Tia
12-19-2003, 3:39 AM
here is a very nice male cobue
http://www.bigskycichlids.com/images/Astuartgranti_cobue.jpg
Hatter
12-19-2003, 3:57 AM
Only males color up. Females stay brown with darker bars on their sides. They will get a tiny strip of color along the edges of their fins. Less dominant males can also stay brown to try and blend in with the females and avoid attacks from the alpha male.
It's hard to answer your first question. A species that is peaceful with species 'A' might not be peaceful with species 'B'. There are too many factors to consider. I have a mix of Aulonocara and in general, they get along relatively well. When breeding starts however, males can be very agressive towards potential competitors.
In regards to a list, your question might be better answered if you included your tank size and a list of all fish you may be considering. That way people who have experience with different mixes can comment on what worked/didn't work for them.
Hope this helps.
Verse914
12-19-2003, 12:06 PM
Originally posted by Hatter
Only males color up. Females stay brown with darker bars on their sides. They will get a tiny strip of color along the edges of their fins. Less dominant males can also stay brown to try and blend in with the females and avoid attacks from the alpha male.
It's hard to answer your first question. A species that is peaceful with species 'A' might not be peaceful with species 'B'. There are too many factors to consider. I have a mix of Aulonocara and in general, they get along relatively well. When breeding starts however, males can be very agressive towards potential competitors.
In regards to a list, your question might be better answered if you included your tank size and a list of all fish you may be considering. That way people who have experience with different mixes can comment on what worked/didn't work for them.
Hope this helps. Excellent reply. An example is keeping a baenschi with a maleri or lemon jake. Because theyre all yellow, the dominant one will harass or kill the less dominant because they are so similarly colored. If you go with...say a baenschi and a maulana, you wont see much problems with that. Tank size will play a large factor in what will work though...
Verse914
12-19-2003, 1:53 PM
thats a nice sized tank. What are you planning to do with this tank? Show tank? breeder?
An all male peacock and hap tank is amazing to look at. I have a 75gallon all male tank and I plan on upgrading to a 180gal+ just so I can add more haps :D
Do you have any aggression problems with an all male tank?
valerie
12-20-2003, 2:08 AM
I also have a 90g tank with peacock and haps. I found that now that my red empress and P.electra are bigger then my male ruby red peacock they pick on him pretty bad.
So if you decied to go with peacocks and haps, make sure you pick species of peacock that can stand up to the haps.
Or if you get all peacocks make sure they are all species the same temperment.
Dragon_Lord_Tia
12-20-2003, 3:18 AM
but if its going to be a breeding tank oly keep 1 type of peacocks to prevent hybrid fish.