Aulonocara stuartgranti (Ngara)

Flametail Peacock Cichlid

Max Size:

5.0"

Temperament:

Semi-aggressive

Water Temperature:

78 - 82°F

Diet:

Carnivore

Min. Tank Size:

50 Gal

Description:

The Aulonocara stuartgranti Ngara Flametail Peacock is a truly stunning fish. Males develop a metallic blue color on the face and along their back, down to their tail. Their body eventually develops a strong orange color that starts at their gills and goes down to their tail. Males will get to be about 5" in length and females will be a little smaller.

Compatibility:

Ngara Flametail Peacock cichlids are very mild mannered African cichlids. They are typically non-aggressive accept sometimes a dominant male may show increased aggression levels towards other male Aulonocara species. When breeding, males will also show increased levels of aggression. Some compatible cichlid species are the Ethelwynnae Peacock, the German Red Peacock, and the Blue Orchid Peacock.

Tank Requirements and Feeding:

Ngara Flametail Peacocks are native to the hard alkaline waters of Lake Malawi in Africa. A home aquarium should be set up to mimic those water conditions. The water temperature should be between 78 - 82°F with a pH between 7.8 - 8.6. Additives like Cichlid Lake Salt and Malawi/Victoria Buffer will condition the aquarium water for African cichlids. The substrate should be sand or fine gravel and there should be plenty of rocks to create caves and passageways for the fish to claim territories or seek protection.

Flametail Peacock cichlids are carnivores and should be fed a variety of foods that contain a good amount of protein. Plankton based flakes mixed with commercially prepared cichlid pellets and live (or frozen) brine shrimp or blood worms, are good choices for their diet. Such foods will help bring out the bright orange and metallic blue colors in these fish.

Breeding:

Ngara Flametail Peacock cichlids are sexually dimorphic. Males will develop the bright metallic blue and orange colors while females remain a dull grey color. Males will also get slightly larger than females.

Like all Aulonocara, the Stuartgranti Ngara is a mouthbrooder. While spawning, the female will pick up and hold the eggs in her mouth to protect them. Females may continue to carry the eggs and fry in their mouth for two weeks or longer. It is a good idea to keep several females with one male when breeding. This will help spread out any aggression displayed by the male.

All Aulonocara species will hybridize. If you want to avoid hybridization, it is best to either, only keep males, or only keep one species of Aulonocara.