Baensch's Peacock
Aulonocara baenschi
FishFreshwater
Baensch's Peacock reaches up to 12 cm. Males display metallic blue with yellow highlights on the dorsal fin. Females are grey-brown. It is a mouthbrooder. In the wild it lives in harems. Its behavior is relatively calm compared to mbunas. It prefers rocky areas with hiding spots. Breeding is easy in aquariums.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–28 |
| pH | 7.5–8.5 |
| GH | 10–20 |
| KH | 8–12 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.5 |
Care
Difficulty3/5
Dietcarnivore
Min. tank200 L
Min. group3
Adult size12 cm
Lifespan6 ans
TemperamentSemi-aggressive
Care notes
Keep in a tank of at least 200 liters for a group. Temperature 24-28°C, pH 7.5-8.5, GH 10-20, KH 8-12. Nitrates <20 mg/L, phosphates <0.5 mg/L. Carnivorous diet: pellets, brine shrimp, bloodworms. Compatible with other non-aggressive Malawi cichlids. Avoid overly active mbunas. Provide rocks and sandy substrate. Weekly water changes of 20%.