Dragon Blood Peacock
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
Captive-bred hybrid form with intense orange-red coloration and black spotting. One of the most commercially popular 'peacock' forms; result of selective hybridization.
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.