The Dragon Blood Peacock Cichlid Aulonocara sp is a captive bred hybrid and one of the most beautiful African Cichlids. When young, it is salmon colored with color saturation along its head, dorsal and caudal fins. Its color intensifies as it matures, with males more colorful than the females. The female will mature to a reddish orange color with a pixelated pattern throughout is body and fins. Males will have intense coloration in a striking red body and blue freckle-like markings throughout, so it resembles a burning fire, complete with blue along the edges of its fins akin to flames. This Peacock Cichlid grows to a length of 6”.

This fish should be kept in groups of four or six with only one male in the group. An aquarium of a minimum 55 gallons is necessary to house this freshwater fish and should be maintained within a temperature range of 74-82° F, and a pH between 7.5-8.5. The aquarium should have a sandy substrate, as it is a sand sifter. It is important to provide places for it to hide, such as caves formed from rocks or wood. Semi-aggressive if housed with larger peaceful fish, it can be aggressive with others of its own species, as it is territorial. Provide plenty of caves and passageways built with piles of rocks for the fish to hide and explore to help reduce aggression.

Omnivores, this member of the Cichlidae family likes to eat Cichlid pellets or flakes, as well as brine shrimp and bloodworms.

Approximate Purchase Size: 2.4”