Species Profile | Images | Breeding Report | Similar Species
(Other members of the genus Aulonocara)
ADULT SIZE: 12 cm
WATER CONDITIONS: Moderately hard and alkaline
TEMPERATURE RANGE: 25-28 C
FOOD: Feed Aulonocara jacobfreibergi live and dried foods
DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Lake Malawi
AQUARIUM CARE: This species lives on the boundary between the rocky shore and the open sanded areas of Lake Malawi, typically at a deeper, darker level than the mbunas. It lives in groups often amongst caves. Peacock cichlids are sand sifters, feeding on invertebrates that dwell in the substrate, although in the aquarium they will eat most live and dried foods. Male fish are some of the most spectacularly coloured of all freshwater fish, and they are highly prized by hobbiests for this reason.
Peacock cichlids are not as robust as many other Malawi cichlids, and fish of this genus should certainly not be kept in a mbuna tank. They can be kept with other calmer Malawi cichlids. A tank of Aulonocara males of different species can be quite a site, although this obviously prevents breeding. Pairs of different species should not be kept, as interbreeding is common in captive examples of this genus.
For more about a typical tank set-up see Setting up a Lake Malawi Cichlid Aquarium.
BREEDING: A relatively easily bred cichlid; Aulonocara jacobfreibergi is a typical matriachal mouth brooder. The breeding display consists of prolonged body shaking - quite a sight. Males can be very persistent, and it is essential that there are adequate hiding places for females.
Have you bred Aulonocara jacobfreibergi? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Aulonocara jacobfreibergi breeding reports
Other members of the genus Aulonocara
Other cichlid species
Other species from Lake Malawi
Eureka strain
A nice colourful male
BREEDING: A relatively easily bred cichlid; Aulonocara jacobfreibergi is a typical matriachal mouth brooder. The breeding display consists of prolonged body shaking - quite a sight. Males can be very persistent, and it is essential that there are adequate hiding places for females.
Have you bred Aulonocara jacobfreibergi? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?
This page summarises breeding reports provided by visitors to this site, along with some statistical analysis. Please feel free to contribute - whatever your experience!
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Remember, each record represents only one persons experience; if you had different results, or used different methods, please share your experiences
| Water conditions: Neutral | Water temperature: 28oC+ |
| Disposition: Somewhat aggresive on occasions | Community tank?: Only with species of similar size |
| Spawning Method: Other (see below) | Breeding problems: Poor egg survival |
| Sex ratio: Almost all females | Breeding difficulty: Very easy |
| Sucess: Fairly sucessful | Years Experience: 1 |
| Other Comments: | |
| Date this record created: 19th August 2012 | Breeding date: 2012 |
| Breeder: | Location: |
What fish are good community fish? There is no absolute answer to this, but in general a community tank should contain only species that will tolerate each others behaviour, are approximately the same size, eat the same foods, and accept the same water conditions. Hardy tank bred fish that have adapted somewhat to local water conditions, and have no special dietary requirements usually make good candidates
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