Cichlids have a bit of a reputation in the fish market.
Some would argue deservedly so, yet they remain a firm favorite with hobbyists because they still manage to resonate with their fish keepers.
Vibrant and almost electric in presence for both personality and looks, these are fish that certainly live up to their name.
The Peacock Cichlid is an African freshwater fish native to Lake Malawi, and there are over 22 varieties that fall under this moniker. While not an ideal fish to keep if you are a novice overall, they are a perfect entry into the world of Cichlids if you are looking to branch out and expand your freshwater community.
Peacocks are notably more peaceful than most Cichlids, and they are also quite hardy. What might be more difficult is settling on just one type, such are the variety of options available to hobbyists. Chances are you won’t choose just one!
Let’s discover more about this colorful, eye-catching species and see why they are so popular.
Peacock Cichlid Behavior
As far as Cichlids go, the Peacocks are relatively easygoing.
Defined as only semi-aggressive because of the male’s behavior when breeding season arrives, they are a rather nifty option to start your Cichlid journey.
As such, they make an excellent option in Cichlid community tanks if you’re looking to house a variety of Cichlids instead of a single type. Aside from any males with territorial issues, getting the right ratio of males to females (1 : 3) should help amend this propensity, and you can enjoy this peaceful, brilliant fish.
They are considered to be quite intelligent fish who are naturally quite curious, making them ideal for the hobbyist who wants a fish with personality. Fast, powerful swimmers Peacocks make for a dazzling display in any aquarium.
These fish like to dwell and swim near the bottom layers of your tank. This is ideal since they also love to root, hunt, and dig in the sandy layers they favor in the wild while searching for food.
Fond of invertebrates as a food source, Peacocks are opportunistic fish who will hover and strike, which makes for some entertaining viewing.
Males like to have their own crawlspace or cover, so you would need to factor that in when considering quantities and your tank size. They are quite solitary, unlike the females who can often be seen schooling.
Although we have already labeled them peaceful, there are some behaviors to keep an eye out for that would indicate aggression is on the cards. These include:
- Circling with fins splayed
- Chasing other fish
- Changes in or intensified body-color
- Nipping and biting
If you are witness to any of these behaviors, you can try adjusting the gender ratio, increase tank size, redistribute decor to change up territories, or even add more of different colors, so they aren’t seen as competition as obviously.
Peacock Cichlid Lifespan
For a freshwater fish, Peacock Cichlids have quite a good long lifespan. They can happily reach 8 years of age when well cared for.
We will discuss more on tank requirements a little later in this article.
Peacock Cichlid Appearance
Peacock Cichlids don’t reach their full size until about 2-3 years of age. But when they do reach maturity, you can expect them to reach about 4-7 inches in length.
They have a rainbow of color and pattern varieties which make them a great choice for a brilliant and vibrant tank that is sure to be admired. Vivid coloration is their calling card, and they really do deliver on this count.
You may have heard that other Cichlid species coloring changes with behavior or mood, but the Peacock has a stable appearance that changes very little.
The most commonly sold Peacocks include but are not limited to:
- Sunshine Peacock
- Flavescent Peacock
- African Butterfly Peacock
- Nkomo Peacock
- Red Peacock
- Blue Peacock
Peacocks have a pronounced lateral line, a classic-shaped body with sleek fins. A large, flowing dorsal fin tapers along the length of their bodies, leading to a broad tail fin.
They have a pronounced mouth shape and kind, friendly eyes.
Females are generally less vibrant than their male counterparts, but they still have a fantastic coloring that makes them a welcome addition to any tank community.
Peacock Cichlid Habitat And Tank Requirements
Hailing from the relatively tropical clime of Lake Malawi, these fish will thrive in a heated tank that gives them stable temperatures.
A hardy species by nature, Peacock Cichlids, will still require a habitat that closely resembles their native location in Africa.
The lake they are from manages to house some 22 varieties, and they each inhabit their own corner of the lake bottom without too much trouble or interspecies hassle.
Let’s look at some specifics that are needed.
Tank Conditions
Starting with substrate, you’ll ideally want a sandy one that is fine. They naturally filter substrate through their gills, so anything too coarse will be damaging.
Heaters are a definite must as well as a thermometer to ensure less fluctuation in water conditions as their native habitat is surprisingly steady.
Peacocks don’t mind a current, so you can mix it up and choose filters or even air stones if you wish.
Stones and driftwood are always a winner for these Cichlids. In fact, Peacocks do like to stake their claim on cubbyholes or covered areas, so the more you have for them to explore, the better in their books.
Plantation wise you won’t need a lot of effort here. As they are bottom dwellers in the wild, often found even at depths of up to 100-130 feet, plant life is on the sparse side. You would be better off investing in caves, pots, and driftwood to keep your Peacocks happy.
That said, for your own aesthetics, feel free to use will plants instead of live as they will uproot things easily with their digging. If you do choose live plants, Java Fern and Anacharis will work really well.
Water changes should be weekly, and you will need excellent quality filtration to keep the water clean.
You should also ideally plan to comb the substrate on a scheduled basis to help things stay well aerated and reduce the chance of gas buildup with less plant matter available.
A well-cycled tank is a necessity for these fish so ensure you prepare your tank well in advance of their planned arrival, especially as this will take some months given the tank size needed.
Water conditions should be noted as slightly alkaline, tested regularly, and maintained as follows:
- pH of 7.8 – 8.6
- Water hardness 4 – 6 dGH
- Temperature between 76 – 82ºF ( 24 – 28ºC)
- Lighting is standard
Tank Size
The minimum tank size needed is 55 gallons, and for a community tank, you are looking at at least double that size. So the space needed is considerable.
Think low water height and long rectangular tanks in terms of shape to allow them to swim and dart, root, and achieve territorial harmony.
Choosing Tank Mates For Peacock Cichlids
When it comes to choosing tank mates for your Peacock Cichlids, you are allowed a lot more breathing room than you would if you housed other popular Cichlids.
You still need to ensure that parameters are similar and keep size in mind.
Here are your best bets if you wish to have other fish alongside your Peacocks:
- Other Hap Cichlids
- Copradichromis
- Placidochromis
- Otopharynx lithobates
- Sciaenochromis
- Other African varieties of fish suitably sized
Avoid anything like small fish, Utaka Cichlids, Mbuna Cichlids, or any other invertebrates that are going to be considered a meal. You might also wish to avoid other bottom dwellers to keep territory free, which is at a premium.
Feeding Peacock Cichlids
Peacock Cichlids are omnivorous but prefer a diet that is heavier on the meaty end of the scale.
They will enjoy food of both the live and frozen variety and are happy to eat things like Bloodworms, Earthworms, Brine shrimp, and Daphnia.
Interestingly they are also happy to eat blanched vegetables like spinach or lettuce but ensure that food is sunk to the bottom given their preferred activity areas.
Peacock Cichlid Common Health Issues
Peacock Cichlids do not have any inherently worrisome diseases partial to them alone, but they are susceptible to the typical woes of other freshwater fish species.
Ich is a common parasitic infection that can happen to any freshwater aquarium kept fish. White spots are what become noticeable and can lead to issues with respiration, so you must keep an eye out for those.
While Ich is highly treatable, it’s best to catch early as it can otherwise lead to more serious conditions. Isolation of any fish that are affected is best to avoid spread and can be treated with medication as prescribed.
They possess scales, so they respond well to antibiotics and most medications.
They may also have issues with sterility when hybrids are bred, and this can be relatively common given the variety of species/colors chosen when setting up communities.
Peacock Cichlids can be sensitive to light since they live in the depths of the lake in the wild, which provides less natural light.
How To Breed Peacock Cichlids
Breeding Peacock Cichlids is a relatively easy endeavor, which is not always the case for freshwater fish.
Provided you have the right ratio to keep aggression down between males, you should not have too much trouble having new Peacocks join your community. That being said, you must consider the space requirements for keeping a larger population or otherwise consider selling as they are high-volume fish.
As mentioned, hybrids are often sold to the consumer, and they have issues with sterility, so be clear about your intentions when purchasing if breeding is high on your to-do list.
As is often the case, a slight rise in temperature can encourage the process along without too much trouble.
These fish are mouthbrooders which means they incubate inside her mouth for up to 28 days.
Males will do a display around their territory to attract a receptive female who will lay her eggs inside the nest if she is willing. They may splay their fins and show off a more vibrant color. Darting behavior is usually observed to attract females to their well-constructed nest.
If a female decides the display is adequate, she will engage in the process and join the male in his cave to spawn and deposit the eggs. Once the eggs are fertilized, the female will put the eggs in her mouth for the necessary amount of time for the fry to hatch. Typically you can estimate anywhere from 12-20 fry from a successful union.
Once hatched, the fry are on their own, and the parent fish will leave them alone.
Conclusion
Cichlids, in general, are incredibly popular thanks to the wide variety of colors and patterns that make them so tantalizing for the hobbyist. If you are looking for elegant fish with punchy color that will liven up any home with welcome, vibrant personalities, these are the fish for you.
Not a fish for the complete novice, Peacock Cichlids are a gateway into the Cichlid family, being easier to handle than most with substantially reduced aggression.
They make excellent single species tank communities for the sheer variety on offer and are sure to wow visitors to your home with their effervescent looks and dazzling character.
