Ruby red peacock - Aulonocara rubescens

Food and feeding
Use quality flakes or cichlid pellets for the staple diet. Treats of blood worms, brine shrimp, krill and mysis will be readily accepted.

Origin
Africa; this fish is found in Lake Malawi.

Sexing
The male will display a lot more colouration than the female; he will have orange and red throughout his body whereas the female will be a drab grey or brown. Always keep one male with several females but do not mix with other species of Aulonocara to prevent hybridisation.

Breeding
These fish are mouth brooders, after spawning the female will collect the eggs for incubation, the male will take no further part in raising the young. The fry should be released after 3 weeks and they can be fed on newly hatched brine shrimp or crushed flake.

Lifespan
The expected life span for this fish is 5-8 years.

Short description
Always add plenty of rock work to the tank to create hiding places. Open swimming areas must be left at the front, especially along the substrate and mid regions. Food

Carnivore - Use meat based food, however vitamins and minerals are required always.

Picture
Special thanks to Marwin Lawrence for his picture.