Edit Aulonocara maylandi

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Name

Scientific name

Aulonocara maylandi

Described by

Authority Trewavas, Year 1984

Family

Cichlidae

Summary

The sulphurhead peacock, Aulonocara maylandi, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it occurs in two principal colour forms. Males fro…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

100mm, standard length

Tank size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Temperature and pH

Temperature 25–29°C, pH 7.5–9

Hardness

10–25dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries

Malawi

Supporting text

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Endemic to Lake Malawi where there exist two principal colour forms. The 'sulphur head' variant inhabits West Reef and Eccles Reef, close to Makanjila Point in…

Habitat

Inhabits the so-called intermediate zones of the lake, where rocky shores give way to sandy bottoms with scattered rocks. The population at Kande Island occurs…

Aquarium size

Minimum base dimensions of 120 ∗ 30 cm48 ∗ 12 in or equivalent are recommended unless keeping the fish in smaller aquaria for breeding purposes.

Maintenance

Arrange some piles of rockwork around the tank but leave some open spaces between them and use fine sand as substrate so that it's able to feed naturally (see …

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Aulonocara spp. are benthophagous by nature, employing a method of feeding whereby mouthfuls of substrate are taken and sifted for edible items with the remain…

Aulonocara spp. are benthophagous by nature, employing a method of feeding whereby mouthfuls of substrate are taken and sifted for edible items with the remaining material expelled via the gills and mouth. They're equally-skilled at hunting as grazing, tending to hover above the substrate until tiny movements are detected, and possess enlarged sensory pores on the head which assist in this technique.

The captive diet should contain a variety of high quality, fine-grade prepared foods plus small live and/or frozen chironomid larvae, Tubifex, Artemia, mosquito larvae, etc.. At least some of the dried products should contain a high proportion of vegetable matter such as Spirulina or similar.

Home-made, gelatine-bound recipes containing a mixture of dried fish food, puréed shellfish, fresh fruit and vegetables, for example, can also work well and can be cut into bite-sized discs using the end of a sharp pipette or small knife. Rather than a single large meal offer 3-4 smaller portions daily to allow natural browsing behaviour as this seems to result in the best growth rate and condition.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the profileFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Behaviour and compatibility

Among the most peaceful and timid members of the genus and a species-specific set-up is recommended, although in larger aquaria it can be kept with other non-a…

Sexual dimorphism

Males are larger and more colourful than females.

Reproduction

Maternal mouthbrooder which will often spawn in a community set-up, but should be moved or maintained in a specific tank if the intention is to maximise yield.…

Notes

This species exists in two distinctive phenotypes, with male individuals from West reef and Eccles reef possessing a bright yellow band of colour running from …

References

2 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References