Mbenji Peacock (Aulonocara koningsi)

Mbenji Peacock Aulonocara koningsi
Name	Mbenji Peacock
Name Lat.	Aulonocara koningsi
Synonym	Aulonocara sp. 'Mbenji'
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	~ 250 l
US Units
Size	3.5"-4.5"
Temperature	75-82 °F
Hardness	178-445 ppm
Aquarium	~ 65 gal

Distribution and habitat

Koning's emperor cichlids are found exclusively (endemically) near Mbenji Island in the southwest of Lake Malawi. They live in the sand-rock transition zone over sandy bottoms usually in a water depth of about 8 m.

Maintenance

The aquarium setup should have rock structures reaching to the water surface, with plenty of crevices, caves and shelters to provide hiding places, and a light colored substrate with plenty of open sandy areas.

No ammonia, ammonium or nitrite should be detectable, and the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and the oxygen content, a filter adapted to the aquarium size and a heater are required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

In the wild they feed mainly 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 should be kept in a harem, one male with several females. Males are territorial within the species, so keeping multiple harems is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. They are assertive and should only be socialized with other robust Malawi cichlids (e.g. Mbunas).

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The male is much more colorful than the female (sexual dichromatism) and has longer extended fins. The female is usually smaller and inconspicuous silvery 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 keep the fry in their throat sac even after hatching. After about 3 weeks, the fry are released and brood care ends. During the entire brood care, the female does not take 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: petdata; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (1997): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 5, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF