Aulonocara stuartgranti (Usisya)

Flavescent Peacock Cichlid

Max Size:

6.0"

Temperament:

Semi-aggressive

Water Temperature:

78 - 82°F

Diet:

Carnivore

Min. Tank Size:

55 Gal

Description:

The Aulonocara stuartgranti (Usisya) or Flavescent Peacock is one of the more popular species of peacock cichlids found in the hobby. This species of Aulonocara is found in the waters of Usisya in Lake Malawi. Males develop a metallic blue color on their face, end of their dorsal fin and outer edge of their anal fins. Their body develops a yellow color that starts at their gills and runs down to their tail. Their dorsal and anal fins also develop a dark black color with light blue along the edge. The Flavescent peacock cichlid looks fairly similar to the very popular Blue Neon Chiwindi accept the Chiwindi displays more bright metallic blue color in its dorsal and anal fins. Males will get to be about 6" in length and females will be a little smaller.

Compatibility:

Flavescent Peacock cichlids are fairly mild mannered like many of the other peacokc cichlids found in Lake Malawi. For the most part they will coexist peacefully with other mild mannered peacocks and haplochromis. However it isn't unusual for a dominant male may show increased aggression levels towards other males. Breeding males will also display increased levels of aggression. Some compatible cichlid species are the Maleri Sunshine Peacock, the Red Top Lwanda Peacock, and the Azureus cichlid.

Tank Requirements and Feeding:

Flavescent Peacocks are native to the hard waters of Lake Malawi in Africa. A home aquarium should mimic those conditions for these fish to display their brightest colors. 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. 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.

Flavescent Peacock cichlids are carnivores and should be fed a diet that contains a good amount of protein. A good mix of commercially prepared cichlid pellets and plankton based flakes, together with live (or frozen) brine shrimp or blood worms, will provide these fish with a well balanced diet. Such foods will help encourage them to display their metallic blue and yellow colors.

Breeding:

Flavescent Peacock cichlids are sexually dimorphic. Males will develop the metallic blue, yellow, and black colors while females will remain a mostly dull grey color. Males will also get slightly larger than females.

Like all Aulonocara, the Usisya Flavescent peacock cichlid is a mouthbrooder. when they are 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. For optimal breeding conditions it is recommended to keep three to six females with one male when breeding. This will create an ideal breeding colony and 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.