A fine sand substrate that provides higher PH buffering levels. It should be planted in the substrate, meaning that some cichlids may uproot it. Structure can certainly also be created with suitable plants and decoration consisting of … Because of the depths, peacock cichlids inhabit in the wild, plants are more sparse and so are unnecessary in home aquariums. Though, itâs best to make sure these foods sink quickly since peacocks are bottom dwellers and tend to stay in the lower and middle water columns. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is a smooth, white or tan colored substrate that... Tahitian Moon Sand. It will keep your cichlids healthy and in a more peaceful mood. However, species-only tanks are just as colorful. Aulonocara or "Peacocks" are a genus of Cichlid found in Lake Malawi. This makes them very sensitive to sound (and electricity) traveling through the water. Substrate: A fine sand substrate is required for peacock cichlids since they filter the substrate through their gills. Kribensis are one of the most colorful cichlid subspecies. I have a 55 gallon cichlid tank with 3 OB Peacock cichlids, 2 haplochromis obliquedens, and 2 jewel cichlids. Pearl Beach is a natural aragonite substrate suitable for marine and freshwater aquariums. Suitable Tank Mates 7. These fish need some hiding places, but also a good bit of area to swim around openly. If youâre looking for a stunning cichlid for a species-only tank or as an addition to a current tank, look no farther than the peacock cichlid. After 4 years, you can cut back to 2- 3 times a day unless the fish are still showing rapid growth patterns. Peacock cichlids can be kept in the same tank with other cichlids as well as other peaceful community species.Compared to other Lake Malawi cichlids, Peacock cichlids are relatively peaceful. These fish can take a decent current, so almost. This will keep your cichlid in top shape and preserve its vibrant coloring. If you are looking for a good sized aquarium fish with stunning colors, Peacock Cichlids are some of the best you will find in freshwater fish choices. This is my opinion on sand. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Peacock cichlids (Aulonocara) are a very colorful fish, as their name may indicate. The Peacock Cichlid is a stunning species of fish native to Lake Malawi; it belongs to the Astatotilapia genus. Even though cichlids have the reputation of being the aggressor, the peacock cichlids are very different. The habitat of Peacock Cichlid. Unfortunately, many hybrids are sterile despite their otherwise healthy appearance and body. And what type of sand should I get? Aragonite, which is unique to just CaribSea substrates, maintains the high pH African Cichlids need without the constant addition of chemicals. Peacock cichlids have long been favored in the aquarium industry, and itâs easy to understand why. Peacocks are no different, and most of the species can be found within this lake. Comprising the entire Aulonocara genus of freshwater fish, the peacock cichlid, or simply peacocks, are about the friendliest and most peaceful cichlids you can find to keep in your aquarium. Male has brighter color compared to the female. Experienced aquarists also appreciate them for their captivating behavior and laidback temperament in community tanks. Below is a basic rundown of what youâll need for a cichlid tank: Another décor such as caves, terra cotta pots, and similar aquarium-safe hiding places can also be added. Overcrowding in a Cichlid tank is like a necessary evil. Try putting smaller bits of food in the tank, and freshly killed brine shrimp just in case. Instead, this fish features colors from every spectrum. Feed smaller meals 2 – 3 times a day, and broadcast the food so that it lands in different parts of the tank. Not all species are available commercially, but many are sold in stores around the world. Vibrations – yes – their bodies are also very pressure sensitive. The Peacock Cichlid, Cichla ocellaris, is a very large fish, best suited towards a big display tank.They generally display colors of greens, yellows and whites. Fishtankadvisor.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. Though they get along, this can cause breeding issues later on (covered more in-depth later on). Though housing other bottom dwellers may be fine in large aquariums, itâs best avoided. I have white crushed coral substrate with a black background and lace rock in a 60 gallon tank, I heard that the white substrate makes the colors of the cichlids look washed out. Keep rooted plants in pots or use terraces with mesh over the substrate so the fish cannot dig in it. This is said to be one of their most unusual and stunning behaviors to watch, both in the wild and in home aquariums. Bi-weekly for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH, hardness, salinity, and carbonate levels. pH should be maintained between 7.8 and 8.4 for Lake Malawi fish and 8.0 and 9.0 for Lake Tanganyika fish. The more elaborate your setup, the better! Itâs not recommended to keep multiple varieties of peacock cichlids together. Peacock Cichlids are native to Lake Malawi, where waters are slightly alkaline but exceptionally clear. Though peacocks are not recommended for beginner fish keepers, they are an excellent choice for beginner cichlid keepers. Getting Systematic â The 10 Best Genera of Beginner Aquarium Plants, Introduction to Aquarium Fertilization Products. I want to know what people think from there experiences is the best substrate to use for these large American cichlids. Trying to figure out what substrate is the best. The appearance of Peacock Cichlid. This cichlid lives an average of eight years, longer than many freshwater fish but shorter than some other cichlid varieties. Hi I have a American cichlid set up with some large fish such as red terrors, red tigers a few large geo's a Madagascan a blue Texas and a few others in a 600/700 litre tank. African cichlids are mostly seen burrowing in the substrate, and there is a chance they will hurt themselves in coarse or rough substrates. Despite their hardy nature, peacock cichlids do have preferred water parameters that aquarists should adhere to. Other aggressive fish will cause peacock cichlids to respond sharply, which should be avoided. Silica is a great sand substrate to have for your cichlids. Peacocks can be less aggressive with other species of fish than among themselves. With over 20 varieties commercially available, peacock cichlids are an aquarium staple that is sure to last for years to come. They’ll have a blast exploring it and staking claims to different pieces. Mine have always done best with additional meals from a growth and temperament perspective. Breeding 5. Some claim you only need to feed Peacock Cichlids 2 times a day because they aren’t inclined to be aggressive. Kribensis Cichlid. This video is a viewer request on the topic of sand! Aulonocara Cichlids, African Butterfly, Sunshine Peacock, Maulana Bicolor, Red Peacock, Many Others, Other Haplochromis Cichlids, Mbuna Cichlids, Utaka Cichlids, Other. They can be found peacefully living with many other types of fish. Also, because of its long leaves, it may not last long in the Mbuna or tropheus aquarium. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Frozen bloodworms, frozen daphnia, insect larvae, brine shrimp. First of all, it's minerologically complete. Without plants providing extra natural filtration, aquarists may need to invest in higher quality filtration systems to have a more strict cleaning regime. Plecos are a perfect tank mate to your African Cichlids. ). Brighter colored males, or males with stripes may also be more aggressive than less colorful males. Even though Peacock Cichlids are fairly peaceful, they can become aggressive over territory. These are the perfect food for peacock cichlids fries. It prevents pockets of gas or debris from building up beneath the surface. Peacock Cichlid Behavior—Aggression. Theyâre popular amongst beginner cichlid keepers and experienced keepers who favor community tanks. This is another great type of substrate, for both reasons. Peacock Cichlids don’t always like the kind of strong water flow that keeps gills healthy. You can tell the difference ... Peacock Cichlid types. The grains in this sand measure 0.1 – 0.5 mm, providing African cichlids with a tank bottom that they can easily interact with while digging, caving, or filtering through. Some people mistake this Cichlid for a bass as they look very similar and grow to bass size (up to 30 inches! How to avoid species-specific diseases: Keep the water quality within optimal parameters, eliminate aggression factors, and reduce stress levels by making sure sounds and other external environmental features do not disrupt the fish. The best type of substrate for African cichlids is sand. Males are especially territorial and can be fierce if they feel intimidated. I go in some depth why I think Sand is a filter and sand is fun! Plecos. Some compatible tank mate species that peacocks are often housed with include: Many keepers have also reported success with adding snails to the aquarium. Peacock cichlid is a harem and territorial fish. These fish are not always reproductively viable. Peacock cichlids have a lifespan of about 8-years and can live for up to 10-years with proper care and a healthy diet. Cichlids will readily explore them and use them to stake out different territories. Origins 3. Matt is a web designer by day and a long-time fishkeeper by night. This is made easier by their willingness to do so, unlike some freshwater fish. However, this doesn’t mean you can safely house them with smaller fish or others that aren’t strong enough to take care of themselves. Substrate-spawning Cichlids We tend to think of substrate-spawners as fish that lay their eggs on a rock or in a pit in the gravel. They are relatively docile, easy to keep, and very hardy. pH Range: a pH range of anywhere between 7.5 â 8.5 is acceptable. Some of the more popular types of peacock cichlids include: Depending on the variety and gender, your cichlid will grow to roughly 4 â 6â. Both experienced aquarists and beginner cichlid keepers can enjoy caring for peacock cichlids. A varied diet that heavily features meaty food is recommended. This subreddit is a place for information, discussions, ideas, pictures, videos and even bragging. Test weekly for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH, hardness, salinity, and carbonate levels. 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