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Peacock Cichlid, Red Shoulder Malawi, African Peacock
An elongated, high backed cichlid. In males, the dorsal fin is elongated
and pointed. The upper ridge of this fin a white while the rest is body
colored. The body is indigo blue with 7-9 faint horizontal black stripes.
Alternating with the blue scales, are red to pink scales that are not as
numerous as the blue ones. The belly and the area immediately behind
the gill cover are more red to pink scales. The other fins are the same
color as the body. The females has less elaborate fins and is brownish-gray in color. The eye appears larger and the fins are brown or
transparent.
These cichlids grow to lengths up to 6" and are originally from the rocky
and sandy areas of Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa. They are often found
in caves and inhabit the middle to bottom regions of the aquarium. They
should be housed in a tank holding 45-55 gallons (170-209 L). The tank
should have a rocky set-up with caves and shelter for hiding places.
Hardy plants can be used as this fish will not usually bother them. This
cichlid, like all those from Lake Malawi, prefer a coral sand substrate.
Limestone works well as it helps to maintain the hardness of the water.
Water parameters should be pH 7.5-8.8 (8.2), 10-25 dH (15), with a
temperature of 77-84¡F (25-29¡C).
This is a fish that is peaceful, yet territorial. It can be combined with
other medium sized cichlids. I do not recommend keeping different
species of peacocks together as they will interbreed causing what is
known as “hybrids.” In the fish community these fish are normally
frowned upon. Retreats for each fish are important. Keep several
females with one male.
They do well on a diet consisting of bloodworms, mosquito larvae,
crustaceans, snails, Tubifex; pellets; tablets.
When sexing this fish, females are pale, while males are colorful-usually
dark indigo blue as adults. The parents are ovophile mouthbrooders with
a matriarchal family. The female spawns on the rocky bottom and
performs mouth brooding responsibilities. The eggs are fertilized
through the dummy-egg method. 20-60 eggs are incubated in the mouth
for 20-22 days at 81-86¡F (27-30¡C). Start feeding the fry with Artemia
and small dry foods. Newly hatched baby brine shrimp is also an ideal food.
Breeding the African Peacock is not especially difficult. When keeping
groups of males of this species, only one male will get full colors.This is
a hardy Peacock when kept under a regime of frequent partial water
changes and given a varied diet.
