Maulana Peacock
Aulonocara stuartgranti 'Maulana'
Males display a brilliant blue body with a yellow-orange dorsal and anal fin, while females are dull brown. This species is a maternal mouthbrooder. It prefers rocky habitats where it feeds on small invertebrates. Males are territorial but less aggressive than mbunas. Coloration intensifies during courtship. In aquariums, they can reach up to 15 cm.
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
Care notes
Maintain temperature 24-28°C, pH 7.5-8.5, GH 10-20, KH 8-12. A minimum tank size of 200 liters is recommended for a group. They are carnivorous: feed high-quality cichlid pellets and frozen foods like brine shrimp. Avoid aggressive mbunas; they do well with other peacocks and haps. Keep females in a harem with one male. Weekly 20% water changes are essential. Breeding is possible in captivity; the female holds eggs in her mouth for about 3 weeks.