Aulonocara jacobfreibergi Synonyms: None Physical description: An elongated cichlid whose body shape is similar to that of other Peacock Cichlids. Several different color variations are known, although only one is common in the hobby. A dark, indigo blue color extends along the lower jaw and to the rear part of the body. The forehead and the upper back is reddish-brown in color. Nine to ten faint, but dark, horizontal stripes are located on the body. The first starts just behind the gill cover, and the last ends at the base of the tail. The dorsal and caudal fins are iridescent blue and the pectoral fin is transparent. The anal fin is red and black with an electric blue trim. The first ray of the pelvic fins is also an electric blue color. Size/Length: To 5" (13 cm) Similar species: Peacock Cichlid ( Aulonocara hansbaenschi) Aulonocara korneliae, Aulonocara nyassae, Grant's Peacock ( Aulonocara stuartgranti ) Habitat: Eastern Africa; rocky and sandy areas of Lake Malawi. S: bottom, middle Aquarium: 40" (100 cm) or 40 gallons (150 L). Set-up the tank as one would for other peacock cichlids. See the introduction for Peacock Cichlids. Water chemistry: pH 7.5-8.8 (8.2), 10-25 dH (15), 77-84°F (25-29°C) Social behavior: A peaceful fish that can be combined in a community tank containing other robust fish. Keep one male with several females. The Lake Malawi Butterfly Cichlid has similar behavior to other Peacocks. Suggested companions: Synodontis, Lamprologus (and allies), Lake Tanganyika Rainbowfish ( Lamprichthys ). FOOD: Live; bloodworms, mosquito larvae, crustaceans, snails, Tubifex; pellets; tablets SEX: Females are pale, while males are more colorful-usually dark indigo blue. Breeding techniques: See A. hansbaenschi. Breeding potential: 6. Breeding this Peacock is not especially difficult. Remarks: Several different color morphs are imported. Difficulty of care: 4. A hardy Peacock, whose diet should include live foods. Recent articles about fish Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees (2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health. Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees (10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine. Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater (12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina. |
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Copyright Rhett Butler 1994-2009 The copy for fish.mongabay.com was written in 1994-1995. Therefore some information such as scientific names may be out of date. For this, I apologize. Feel free to send corrections to me. |
