Wild Species
Aulonocara stuartgranti (flavescent, cobue, maleri) — blue and yellow. A. nyassae (German red) — red-orange males. A. baenschi — solid yellow.
Wild-type lines preserve natural coloration and behavior. Pure bloodline is harder to find but invaluable.
Hybrid Lines
Strawberry peacock, dragon blood, red ruby, eureka red — all hybrids between Aulonocara species. Extreme colors, enhanced intensity.
Hybrids are fertile and breed reliably. Most peacocks sold in Asia are hybrids, not pure wild-type.
Care Requirements
Hard alkaline water (pH 7.8-8.4, dKH 10-15). 200L+ tank for a group (1M:3-5F). Sand substrate with rock caves.
Feed high-quality cichlid flakes and occasional mysis shrimp. Avoid excess protein to prevent bloat.
Compatibility
Peacocks are the most peaceful Malawi cichlids. Combine with non-aggressive haps (Copadichromis). Avoid mbuna — too aggressive.
Single-male groups work best. Multiple males fight to exhaustion.