Sunshine Peacock Cichlid - Aulonocara Maleri

The Sunshine Peacock (Aulonocara maleri) is a visually striking species endemic to Lake Malawi in Africa. This vibrant fish is known for its stunning yellow-gold body with blue highlights around the mouth and dorsal fins, especially in males. Reaching sizes of 8 to 12 cm (3.15 to 4.72 inches) in captivity, Sunshine Peacocks are peaceful but can exhibit territorial behavior, especially males during breeding. Despite their beauty, these fish are best suited for intermediate to experienced aquarists due to their specific care requirements and territorial tendencies during spawning.

Origin: 

Sunshine Peacocks are endemic to Lake Malawi in Africa, where they inhabit the middle regions of rocky areas. These fish are often seen venturing into sandy substrates in search of food, sifting through the sand with their mouths. Their natural environment features warm, clear waters with moderate water flow and a mix of rocks and sand, mimicking the conditions of the aquarium setup they thrive in.

Habitat:

Plants are generally not a priority for these fish, as they come from rocky habitats, but some aquarists may add hardy plants like Anubias or Java Fern attached to rocks or driftwood.

Diet:

In their natural environment, Sunshine Peacocks sift through sand to find small invertebrates. In captivity, a balanced diet is crucial. A high-quality flake or cichlid pellet should be their main diet, but it’s important to supplement this with protein-rich live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms. Use bloodworms sparingly, as overfeeding can cause digestive issues like bloat.

To ensure balanced nutrition, include vegetable matter in their diet, such as spirulina flakes or chopped peas. Feeding them small amounts twice daily will keep them healthy and prevent overfeeding, which can lead to water quality issues.

Behavioural Traits:

While Sunshine Peacocks are generally peaceful, males can become territorial, particularly when defending breeding sites. During these times, their vibrant colors become even more pronounced, especially in the presence of females. It is essential to house one male with several females to prevent excessive harassment of individual females. These fish are active swimmers and should be kept with other peaceful cichlids of similar size. Avoid housing them with overly aggressive or highly territorial species that may provoke conflicts.

Within a group, the males will often display to establish dominance, but as long as the tank is spacious and provides enough hiding spaces, their social behavior remains manageable. Regularly observing their interactions is key to ensuring a balanced and peaceful community.

Tank Mates:

Sunshine Peacocks are generally peaceful but can become territorial, particularly during spawning periods. They are best kept with other African cichlids of similar size and temperament. Suitable tank mates include other Aulonocara species or peaceful Mbuna cichlids. Avoid housing them with aggressive species such as Frontosas or other large predatory cichlids, as well as very small fish like Neon Tetras, which may be viewed as prey.