Aulonocara stuartgranti (Chiwindi)

Blue Neon 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 (Chiwindi) or Blue Neon Peacock is a highly sought after peacock cichlid. This species of Aulonocara is native to the waters of Chiwindi and Mozambique in Lake Malawi (the Undu Reef strain is another popular strain of Blue Neon found in the hobby). Males develop a metallic blue color on their face, dorsal and anal fins. Their body develops a bright yellow color that starts at their gills and runs down to their tail. Their pelvic fins will also develop the same bright yellow color. The Blue Neon Chiwindi looks fairly similar to the popular Usisya Flavescent Peacock accept the flavescent has more black color in the dorsal and anal fins. Males will get to be about 6" in length and females will be a little smaller.

Compatibility:

Blue Neon Peacock cichlids are fairly mild mannered Lake Malawi cichlids. 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 Ngara Flametail Peacock, the Red Top Lwanda Peacock, and the Azureus cichlid.

Tank Requirements and Feeding:

Blue Neon Peacocks are native to the hard, alkaline water environment of Lake Malawi in Africa. A home aquarium should provide a similar environment 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.

Blue Neon Peacock cichlids are carnivores and should be fed a diet that contains a good amount of protein. A good mix of plankton based flakes and commercially prepared cichlid pellets along with live (or frozen) brine shrimp or blood worms will provide these fish with a healthy diet. Such foods will help bring out their bright blue and yellow colors.

Breeding:

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

Like all Aulonocara, the Blue Neon Chiwindi 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.