Peacock Cichlids

[toofazt]

I have never kept Cichlids before. I found these on the internet and really like them, but I have some questions.
1. What do they eat?
2. How big do they get?
3. General price?
4. What size of tank would they need?
5. Can they go together; can all "peacock" Cichlids go together?


Aulonocara stuartgranti "Ngara"

Aulonocara baenschi

Aulonocara jacobfreibergi

 

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

These are African cichlids from Lake Malawi. Like most cichlids, they can have a temper.

1. They eat mainly krill, mysis, brine, and veggie foods such as spiraluna.
2. Peacocks average 3-5 inches. Males will be larger and females generally smaller.
3. General price.... depends where you are, what size they are, and if they are F1 or F2, etc etc. (F1 means first generation, fry from wild caught parents. F2 means second generation... etc). Anywhere from $5-30 on average i guess. Also depends on how common the species is.
4. ABSOLUTE minimum is 30 gallons, but thats really much too small. 55 Gallons plus should be used... these fish are 'open water' and like to swim.
5. They are like most malawis, sometimes they fight and sometimes they wont. Generally more than one species isnt kept together because all females look the same, and hybridization will occur. You could try all males, but it takes skill to have an all-male peacock tank and get them to color up without females, but it has been done. I reccommend just one species if you are interested in breeding them, and, depending on the size of tank, maybe several males with no females if you dont want breeding.


And yes, they are very beautiful fish.

HTH
-Diana

 

[toofazt]

Thank you for answering all my questions! :clap: I am not interested in breeding them, but they will not get good colors if there are no females in the tank w/ them? Is it ok to get only males? Do you think 3 will be ok in a 60 gallon? And will they reach full size quickly? And could I put a electic blue/yellow cichlid with these? Thanks again

 

[PurpleSmurf]

Deeper, brighter colors in males are brought out by females as a display. Fish not trying draw attention to themselves tend to be less frequently munched on in the wild, so most animals only show bright coloration when courting a female, defending territory, or advertisizing that they are bad eating.

 

[clayt101]

...and if they are F1 or F2, etc etc.

Are they cheaper if they are captive bred? Also, do captive bred males have less coloring (assuming no inbreeding)
Thanks

 

[xhibition]

If they are continually bred down the line the colors may fade a little. Its possible to have brighter bolder specimens in f1 or f2 but the best colored males and females can make the best specimens. Yes they are cheaper if captive bred.