Blue-faced Peacock (Aulonocara sp. 'Walteri')
| Blue-faced Peacock Aulonocara sp. 'Walteri' | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Blue-faced Peacock |
| Name Lat. | Aulonocara sp. 'Walteri' |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | Lake Malawi |
| Habitat | Intermediate zone |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 7.5-8.8 |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Harem |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Mouthbrooder |
| Breeding | Simple |
| Life Span | 6-10 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 9-11 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Hardness | 10-25 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 300 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 3.5"-4.5" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Hardness | 178-445 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 80 gal |
Distribution and habitat
Walter's emperor cichlids are found exclusively (endemically) in Lake Malawi, near Likoma and Chizumulu islands, which are off the coast of Mozambique, but belong to Malawi. There they live in the transition zone in 3-5 m water depth, between boulders and stones with numerous caves over sandy bottoms
Maintenance
The aquarium should have stone structures with plenty of hiding places, such as crevices and small caves, as well as a light-colored substrate and some free sand areas.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
In the wild, Aulonocaras feed primarily on insect larvae and small crustaceans living in the sand. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality, protein-rich dry food for cichlids (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as daphnia, Artemia mysis, mosquito larvae, etc. (live or frozen).
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They must be maintained in a harem, one male with several females. The males occupy small territories around a cave, which they defend. Keeping multiple harems only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. Although they are assertive, they are one of the more peaceful Lake Malawi cichlids and should only be socialized with other peaceful Lake Malawi cichlids. Basically, only compatible fish species with similar water condition and water temperature requirements should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The male is much more colorful than the female (sexual dichromatism) and has longer extended fins. The female is smaller and inconspicuously colored
Reproduction and breeding
They are maternal mouth brooders. Immediately after spawning on a rock, the females take the eggs into their throat sac for mouth brooding. They retain the fry in their throat sac even after hatching. After about 3 weeks, up to 50 fry are released and brood care ends. During the entire brood care, the female does not consume any food.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food. In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
Important
Characteristic of Aulonocara are many small funnel-shaped depressions (sensory pits) mainly on the underside of the head, which are used for foraging in the sandy substrate
Only one Aulonocara species should be kept in a tank, as the animals may interbreed.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Sylvia Hos; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 5, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF