Aulonocara Regal Red Shoulder

SPECIES/COMMON NAME: Aulonocara Nyassae / Peacocks DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Lake Malawi, Africa. Open sandy/pebble bottoms with some rocks for refuge. Does well with anubias plants, minimal rock work like texas holey rock, utah lace rock. COMPATIBILITY/TEMPERMENT: Mildly Aggressive, Tank Mate options Victorian Haps, Malawi Haps, Malawi Peacocks, Synodontis Cats, Plecostomus. Captive Bred or Wild: Most offered are captive bred, although wild are avail they generally are not as big as captive bred males. WATER CONDITIONS: Freshwater 72F-84F / Any colder and Ick becomes a concern, any warmer and oxygen levels are lower in the water. KH 10-15 / PH 7.2-8.4 adjustments are not recomended unless outside of this. 1 TBS Natural Solar Salt per 5 gals, slime coat addative w/ aloe vera. DIET: Omnivore – Aulonocara peacocks readily accept most foods, its important not to overfeed as this can cause bloat, Pellets & Flakes recomended. MAX STANDARD LENGTH: 6" for adults males 4.5" adult females DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEXES/REPRODUCTION: Dimorphic / Maternal Mouthbrooder – Males are brilliantly colored females are not colorful and range from greys to browns in wild types. When Aulonocara Peacocks are 2.5"-3" size, Males begin to color & females are ready to breed for the first time. Aulonocara Peacocks are maternal mouthbrooders, 21 days from egg to fry. heads & tails after 5 days. broods 12-48 fry. 2-3 Males w/ 9 females makes for a quality breeding group without bottle knecking the genetics in off spring. AQUARIUM SIZE: 40 gallon & up MAINTENANCE:35% water change 1 time per month, vaccume substrate, clean glass, rotate decor, collect any fry from holding females as needed. Maintenance filters every 4 months or sooner as needed. Add water conditioners. NOTES: Easy to keep fish, hardy. Very colorful. Wild Cichlids tend to carry some form of Heximitia when collected from the lake. Importers, wholesalers, retailers begin the medication treatment upon arrival. it is advised hobbists practice quarantine tanks and observation when medicating new fish from the wild or outdoor ponds from Flordida. Metronidazole, Solar Salt, Fresh Clean Water, clears them up very well.