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Baensch's Peacock, Yellow Peacock Cichlid, Yellow Regal Cichlid, Sunshine Peacock Cichlid
This fish has an elongated, high back. This Peacock has large lips and
eyes. The pelvic and pectoral fins are elongated. Four color morphs are
occasionally available to the hobby. The first and most common is the
blue-yellow morph from Chipoka. Its head is usually indigo blue and 6-8
indigo blue vertical stripes can be found on the rear part of the fish. The
first is located around the mid-section of the fish, while the last is at the
base of the caudal fin. The body, from the gill cover to the stripes,
including the forehead, is yellow. The fins, except for the pectoral, are
yellow with the tail also having a marbling of blue. The pectoral fins are
transparent. A popular, new color morph from Nkoma/Benga is all
yellow except for the lower half of the head and the pale 6-8 blue stripes.
It is known as the Yellow Regal Cichlid, as the Yellow Peacock Cichlid,
and as the Sunshine Peacock Cichlid. The morph from the Marleri
Islands has a blue head. The forehead is yellow as are the anal, dorsal,
and pelvic fins. From the base of the pectoral fin and back are 13-16
vertical bands that alternate in color from blue to white. Overlaying
these stripes are pale yellow scales. The caudal fin is orange with and
over-laying pattern of horizontal blue stripes. The final variation, the
Usisya morph has a yellow body and a blue head. The vertical stripes
that are found on the other morphs are very pale on the Usisya form. The
fins, except for the transparent pectoral fin, are deep blue-almost black.
The caudal fin is yellow with 8-12 blue horizontal stripes. All these
color morph are very hard to describe, but if you can find them, the
pictures will do them justice.
The males grow to 6" (15 cm); and the females to 3.5" (9 cm)
*Some experts believe that A. baenschi could be a color morph of A.
nyassae, although the relationship is unclear at this time. To add to the
confusion the Yellow Peacock ( Aulonocara species), has the same
common name as A. baenschi , but differs in color by having no blue on
its head. It also is found near Chipoka.
These fish are from Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa and prefer rocky and
sandy areas of the lake. Two commonly bred and imported color morphs
come from the Marleri Islands and the rocky shore areas near Chipoka.
In the aquarium they prefer bottom to middle areas of a tank that is at
least a 45-55 gallon (170-209 L) for adult fish. Use rocks to construct
structures and caves. A scattering of pebbles over a coral sand bottom
makes an ideal substrate. Tough plants that can tolerate hard water can
be used as this fish will not usually disturb them. Roots can be used to
provide additional hiding places. Use a filter that creates little or no
water current and perform frequent partial water changes. Water
parameters should be pH 7.5-8.8 (8.2), 10-25 dH (15), and water
temperatures of 77-84¡F (25-29¡C) are preferred.
This is a delightful fish that can be combined in most community tanks
containing other robust fish. Occasionally territorial, this fish is
otherwise peaceful. Only during spawning do the fish begin aggressive
behavior. It is still a wise idea to provide a retreat for each fish as this
makes them more comfortable.
Take care not to mix the peacocks as they will interbreed causing
hybrids. Many aquarist strive to keep the species maintained.
These fish thrive on such foods as bloodworms, mosquito larvae,
crustaceans, snails, Tubifex; pellets; tablets and baby brine shrimp.
When sexing these fish, females are brown or black with some darker
stripes. Males are multicolored and considerably larger. It is rather
difficult to sex these fish as fry as they look similar. When they are adult
size they are much easier due to the coloring of the male. For this
peacock, it is important to condition the pair separately prior to
spawning. This can be done by feeding them brine shrimp, mosquito
larvae, and bloodworms. After a two or three week period, the pair
should be reintroduced and spawning will usually occur shortly
thereafter. The tank should have a pH of 7.8-8.2, a water hardness from
10-15 dH, and a temperature from 77-82¡F (25-28¡C). The parents are
ovophile mouthbrooders with a matriarchal family. The spawning at this
point is similar to A. hansbaenschi. These Peacocks are fairly easy to
breed and they are among the hardiest Peacock Cichlids.
