10 Most Popular Peacock Cichlids – Number 5 Will Surprise You
Peacock Cichlids are a distinct group of 22 species of fish that belong to the Aulonocara genus. Typically, Peacock cichlids come from Lake Malawi, Africa, although there are line-bred and hybrids varieties widely found. Ideally, the habitat should mimic the warm waters of Africa with temperatures in the 70s to 80s F, with plenty of rocks, hiding places, and a sandy floor.
These beautiful cichlids appear tropical, displaying bold and vibrant colors, yet are freshwater fish. The males are the most distinctive and captivating- often called the ‘peacocks of the fish world’- hence their name.
The top ten most popular peacock cichlids found in the hobby are:
1) OB Peacock It is not native to Lake Malawi, Africa, but is a hybrid species. These fish are 5 to 8 inches long in adulthood and typically males are black, blue, red, orange, yellow, white- or a combination- while the females are black and silver.
2) Blue Peacock or Aulonocara nyassae is native to Lake Malawi, and grows to be around 4 inches long at adulthood. The females are silvery and iridescent, while the species’ males are vibrant blues and metallic browns.
3) German Red Peacock is a cichlid that is not native to the waters of Lake Malawi, nor is it a hybrid. The German Red peacock has been line- bred and grow to be between 5 and 8 inches long. The males morph into interesting shades of blue and red; females have a shimmering black and silver coloring.
4) Sunshine Peacock or Aulonocara sp. stuartgranti “Maleri” also grows to be around 5-8 inches long and is found in Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Males are blue and yellow with egg spots on their anal fin, and females retain the youthful silvery black sheen.
5) Dragon Blood Peacock sitting at #5 on the list suprised us due to the high demand for all the color variants in the hobby. It als is a cichlid that’s not native to African waters but is a hybrid. The males turn deep shades of red, pink, and orange, while the females tend to be a faded orange, pink or cream color. At adulthood, this species is typically 5 to 8 inches long.
6) Ruby Red Peacock cichlids are 6 inches long at maturity. This species is line-bred for its vibrant colors, brought to the US for aquarists and enthusiasts. These popular fish are distinguished by their blue faces and red bodies.
7) Sulfur Head Peacock cichlids are native to Lake Malawi and these fish are dark, black with a bold yellow streak from tail to snout. Males of this species grow to be around 5 inches, while females are a bit smaller.
8) Blue Neon Peacock cichlids, from Lake Malawi, are bright yellow and the males usually have blue faces and fins. Males of the species grow to be approximately 6 inches long, and females are slightly smaller at adulthood.
9) Blue Regal Peacock is also native to African waters and, at adulthood, these fish are around 6 inches long. Males are primarily a beautiful shade of blue with yellow markings, while the females are typically a silvery gray.
10) Eureka Red Peacock is line-bred and not native to Africa. This species is usually 5 to 8 inches at adulthood. Males are brightly colored blue and red with the distinctive egg spots on the anal fin. Females are black and silver- and smaller than males.
Aquarists and enthusiasts may choose to keep all ten of these peacocks in one tank- however, it is recommended that all the cichlids are males. Otherwise, males can become aggressive and vie for dominance.
