![]() The coloration of Peacock Cichlids varies depending on the species. If you want to keep them in a community tank, you should not mix them with other species that are smaller than them such as tetras, barbs, danios, or similar types of fish. These fish grow quite large and can reach up to 7 inches (18 cm) in length. The name Peacock Cichlid is given because of its beautiful and long dorsal and anal fin (also known as caudal fin or tail). Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara sp.) has several different species, but one of the most popular and colorful are the OB Peacocks. Their natural habitat is on rocky bottoms or sand bottoms in various types of lakes or swamps where they eat mainly insects for food. They are found at depths of 10-30 feet (3-9 m). These cichlids are distributed in the Lake Malawi watershed in East Africa (Malawi, Namiwawa). In general, this species will be a wonderful addition to your community tank or biotope tank. In addition, they are nice parents to their offspring. On the other hand, they can be kept with other Peacock Cichlids without any problems. This species is a very active one and needs a lot of space, they are territorial and aggressive. Peacock Cichlids (Aulonocara sp.) are very popular and interesting African cichlid. If you are looking to set up an African cichlids tank, and looking for the most colorful species, here is a list from which you can choose. Some African cichlid species are very aggressive and territorial and they don’t make good tank mates, while others are peaceful and can be kept with other fish.Īfrican Cichlids are very colorful, that is why many aquarists love these fish. You must also purchase a good filter and change the water regularly to keep your fish healthy and happy. You may often see them for sale in pet stores labeled as “African Cichlids” even though they come from other countries such as Central America, South America and Asia.Īfrican cichlids are tropical fish, so the temperature in your aquarium should be kept around 80 °, and it should be decorated with rocks, driftwood and plants. Ad konings does a very good jon of explaining the different fish at Minos Reef - red zebras etc.There are over 1,000 types of cichlids in the world, but approximately 700 live in Africa. Personal experiences in the aquarium however my white male has not bred AFAIK If you guys dont see any egg dummies on your redxred fish they are either a) not estherae, b) not red zebra or c) a crossbreed.ĭiving experience at Minos Reef, Chiloleo, Gome and Chiofu, where I watched breeding occur in the wild what the florida guys do is import a white male and breed it like crazy ![]() However most common in the petstore is "RedxRed" which was created if you remember above I said white male + orange female = orange males and female fry. ![]() So those fish you see in the hobby "red zebra" are probably metriaclima estherae IF there is a blue male and they have egg dummies on their dorsal. WHITE male + O female = ORANGE male, orange femaleīlue male + brown female = blue male, brown female So - the metriaclima estheraes know to stay away from Blue Reefs ( and not crossbreed).īlue Male + Orange Female = Blue male fry, orange female fry.īlue male + OB Female = Blue male fry, OB female fry. There is a COBALT blue zebra also at Minos Reef with brown females, (metriaclima zebra blue reef) this fish does NOT have egg dummies on it's dorsal. This is the only species of metriaclima (formerly pseudotropheus) that has egg dummies in a spot other than the anal fin. About 10km south of Minos reef you get yellower females, further still down near Chiofu you get brown females.Īll Estherae have yellow "egg spots" on the back of their dorsal fin. Males are blue, there are white ones too but they are rare. Red Zebra, aka Metriaclima Estherae is caught from Minos Reef, central eastern Lake Malawi. the estheraes were named after Esther Grant, wife of Stuart Grant one of the exporters from Lake Malawi (Kambiri Point,Salima) Red zebras are probably my favourite fish because of what I am about to explain. Soulfish pretty much summed it up but I can go into further detail.
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