Aulonocara Stuartgranti

Datasheet

General Description

The Aulonocara Stuartgranti, commonly known as Grant's Peacock, belongs to the Cichlidae family within the Perciformes order. Males exhibit a variety of color forms based on their locality, with blue variants predominant in the northern regions of Lake Malawi and yellow variants in the south, leading to some taxonomic confusion and ongoing scientific debate about species differentiation.

Aquarium Setup

To house the Aulonocara Stuartgranti properly, a tank size of at least 270 liters is necessary. Setting up the aquarium involves arranging rocks to create hiding spots and territories while leaving open spaces for swimming. Fine sand substrate is crucial to mimic their natural feeding behavior. Water quality is paramount due to the species' sensitivity, so a carefully maintained filtration system and regular water changes are essential measures.

Behaviour

Grant's Peacock cichlids are generally peaceful but can display aggression, especially males towards fish of similar coloration. They are territorial, requiring a well-structured tank with ample hiding places to reduce conflicts. Maintaining a single male with a group of 4-6 females is recommended, particularly in smaller aquariums.

Feeding and Diet

Aulonocara spp. are benthic feeders, sifting through substrate for food particles. In captivity, a varied diet comprising high-quality prepared foods, live or frozen larvae, and vegetable matter is crucial for their nutrition. Offering multiple small meals throughout the day stimulates their natural browsing behavior and contributes to their overall health.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

As maternal mouthbrooders, Grant's Peacocks reproduce by the female carrying fertilized eggs in her mouth until they hatch into free-swimming fry. Maintaining a ratio of one male to several females can help reduce aggression during breeding. Fry can be left with the female or artificially separated for rearing, with sex becoming apparent around the four-month mark. Males are larger and more vibrant than females.

Habitat and Distribution

Endemic to Lake Malawi, Aulonocara Stuartgranti is distributed along the east and west coastlines. Inhabiting intermediate zones with a mix of rocky and sandy substrates, this species enjoys areas where open sand patches are interspersed with rocks. Various populations within Lake Malawi exhibit distinct color patterns and might eventually be classified as separate species due to geographic isolation and genetic variations. The type locality for the species is Mpanga Rocks in Chilumba, Lake Malawi.