Edit Aulonocara stuartgranti

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Name

Scientific name

Aulonocara stuartgranti

Described by

Authority Meyer & Riehl, Year 1985

Family

Cichlidae

Common names

Grant's Peacock

Photograph credits

All 10 credited

Summary

Grant's peacock, Aulonocara stuartgranti, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, widely distributed along both the east and west coastlines. …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

130mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 23–29°C, pH 7.5–9

Hardness

10–25dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Lake Malawi, Lake Malawi - Charo, Lake Malawi - Chiloelo, Lake Malawi - Chilumba, Lake Malawi - Chirwa Island, Lake Malawi - Chitimba Bay, Lake Malawi - Cobue, Lake Malawi - Hai Reef, Lake Malawi - Hongi Island, Lake Malawi - Maulana, Lake Malawi - Mbamba Bay, Lake Malawi - Mbowe Island, Lake Malawi - Mdoka, Lake Malawi - Metangula, Lake Malawi - Mundola Point, Lake Malawi - Ndumbi, Lake Malawi - Ngara, Lake Malawi - Ntekete, Lake Malawi - Ntumba, Lake Malawi - Thumbi West Island, Lake Malawi - Usisya, Lake Malawi - Wikihi

Writing

Etymology

Aulonocara: from the Ancient Greek αὐλός (aulós), meaning 'flute', and κάρα (kára), meaning 'head, face', in reference to the greatly enlarged sensory canal sy…

Distribution

Endemic to Lake Malawi, where it is widely-distributed along both east and west coastlines. Populations include Ngara (often referred to as 'flametail'), Mdoka…

Habitat

Inhabits the so-called intermediate zones, where rocky shores give way to open expanses of sand with scattered rocks.

Aquarium size

Minimum base dimensions of 120 ∗ 45 cm or equivalent are recommended unless keeping the fish in smaller aquaria for breeding pruposes.

Maintenance

Arrange some piles of rockwork around the aquarium, but leave some open spaces between them and use fine sand as substrate so that the fish are able to feed in…

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…

Behaviour and compatibility

A relatively peaceful species, although males tend to act aggressively towards any fish with a similar colour pattern, so take care when selecting tankmates. O…

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 the nu…

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 the number of fry. Males can be aggressive in pursuit of females, so a ratio of a single male to 4 or more females is normally recommended in order to reduce the attention on any particular individual. Some flattish rocks and open areas of sand should be included to act as potential spawning sites.

The male will select one such site and begin his courtship display. When a female is willing she will approach and lay a batch of eggs, after which she immediately picks them up in her mouth. The male possesses a number of 'egg spots' on the anal fin and the female is also attracted to these, but when she tries to add them to her mouth she actually recieves milt from the male, thus fertilising the eggs.

The female will carry brood for up to 4 weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. She will normally refuse food during this period, and can be easily spotted by her distended mouthparts combined with a distinctive 'chewing' motion. If a holding individual is overly stressed the eggs may be eaten or rejected, meaning care must be taken if you decide to isolate a brooding female. It is also worth noting that if a female is away from the colony for too long she may lose her position in the pecking order of the group, so try to wait as long as possible before attempting such an operation unless she is being actively harassed. Some breeders prefer to artificially strip the fry from the female's mouth at the 2 week stage and raise them separately from that point.

The fry may still have some yolk sac remaining when released and do not require additional food until this has disappeared. If released with yolk sacs fully-absorbed, Artemia nauplii or similar can be offered immediately. They usually start to become sexable at around the 4 month stage.

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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 pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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Notes

Males of this species occur in a wide range of colour forms depending on locality, with blue variants being found predominantly (but not exclusively) towards t…

References

3 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References