African Cichlid – Peacock – Eureka Red Peacock (Aulonocara jacobfreibergi) 2-8cm

The Eureka Red Peacock comes from Nkudzi, Monkey Bay, Nankumba, Domwe Islands and Otter Point in Lake Malawi. Peacock Cichlids are generally found living where the rocky shoreline transitions into the more sandy substrate of the lake bottom. Peacocks feed by sifting through sand substrate by pushing the sand through their gills and extracting small invertebrates hidden in the sand.

However, they are also active hunters that will also actively prey on small prey items that it detects moving about the substrate or if it spots movement in the sand. Like most species of African Cichlid the Peacock lives in small groups of a single male and a small group of females. They will lay claim to small piece of territory that provides them adequate feeding opportunities. Once they have established their territory they will aggressively defend it from similarly sized and patterned fish species or anything that they determine to be competition for food.

Peacocks make a good addition to most any community Lake Malawi aquarium, as they will generally get along with most other Lake Malawi species. However, they are peaceful enough to keep with similar species providing the aquarium is large enough to provide multiple territories for each group of fish.

The Eureka Red Peacock is a favourite with its outstanding colours. It has bright oranges and reds strongly contrasted with bright blue markings on the face, tail, and fins. Both in its natural appearance and in color forms developed even further through captive breeding, these are some of the most sought after cichlids originating from Lake Malawi, Africa.

The Eureka Red Peacock is one of several well known varieties of the Aulonocara jacobfreibergi. They are members of a very small group of fish that are known as the Peacock Cichlids, and they are very popular with aquarists. The Peacock Cichlids members of the Aulonocara genus which contains only about 23 species, but with many subspecies. It is the brilliant colourations of blues, reds and yellows that give this group the well deserved name of “Peacock”.

The Aulonocara, along with the Utaka Cichlids Copadichromis and other non-Mbuna’s, are members of the Haplochromis group. Haplochromis is the type genus of free-roaming browsers. They live in more sandy areas and open waters, and are generally larger cichlids than their Mbuna “rock-dwelling” counterparts. They also are more peaceful cichlids and should not be housed with the highly active and aggressive Mbunas.

This is a moderately sized Peacock reaching only about 15 cm in length. Along with its bright coloring and reasonable size it will quickly adapt to the aquarium. Provide open space for swimming and a lot of caves in which to hide, sleep, or breed. Water changes that are frequent also help in keeping this cichlid.

• Species – Aulonocara jacobfreibergi sp. Eureka Red
• Common Name – Eureka Red Peacock
• Origin – Lake Malawi
• Diet – Omnivore
• PH Range – Alkaline 7.5 – 8.5
• Water Type – Hard
• Temperature – Tropical 24°c
• Breed Type – Mouth brooder
• Current Size – approximately 5cm (Grows to approximately 15cm)
• Sex – Un-sexed

*sample photo has been used, pattern and colour may vary.