Aulonocara nyassae (Emperor Cichlid)
Aulonocara nyassae
Origin: Lake Malawi, Africa — sandy/rocky transition zones, species-specific to different shore locations
Also known as: Aulonocara, Lake Malawi Peacock, Peacock Bass (misnomer)
Fact sheet
- Size
- 15 cm
- Lifespan
- 8 years
- Minimum tank size
- 200 L
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Hardness GH
- 10–20 °dH
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Social behavior
- Harem
- Swimming zone
- Middle, Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Jumps out
- No
- Eats plants
- No
Overview
Blue-violet body with yellow flank coloring. One of the first described Aulonocara species and the genus type species. Common in the hobby as the 'Emperor' or 'Blue Peacock.'
Appearance
Shared with the species: Peacock Cichlid
Elongated, moderately deep body reaching 10–15 cm. Small, slightly downturned mouth evolved for sieving sand. Males: brilliant metallic coloration varying by species — blue, yellow, orange, red, or multicolor with metallic shimmer. Females: plain brown/gray camouflage pattern.
Care
Shared with the species: Peacock Cichlid
Malawi cichlid setup 200+ L. Temperature 24–28°C, pH 7.8–8.5, GH 10+. Fine sand substrate essential — they sift it for food. Rockwork for shelter plus open sandy areas. Keep one male Aulonocara species per tank.
Feeding
Shared with the species: Peacock Cichlid
Omnivore: sifts invertebrates from sand in the wild. Tank diet: quality cichlid pellets, frozen/live bloodworm, brine shrimp, cyclops, daphnia. Avoid high vegetable diets (they are more carnivorous than mbuna).
Compatibility
Shared with the species: Peacock Cichlid
Moderately aggressive. Best with other moderate Malawi haplochromides (not mbuna). Multiple male Aulonocara of different species can coexist in large tanks.
Breeding
Shared with the species: Peacock Cichlid
Maternal mouthbrooder. Male displays bright colors to attract female; she deposits eggs and picks them up immediately. Broods 20–40 eggs for 21–28 days. Fry are released large and independent.
Fun facts
Shared with the species: Peacock Cichlid
Aulonocara detect invertebrates buried in sand via enlarged sensory pores (neuromasts) on the lower jaw — a unique feeding adaptation. The name 'peacock' refers to the spectacular tail-spread-like display of males.