The Peacock Cichlid is a stunning species of fish native to Lake Malawi; it belongs to the Astatotilapia genus. There are at least 23 different species of Peacocks, the majority of which have stunning coloration.Their coloring can vary from blues, reds to yellows and will stand out in any aquarium.The majority of Cichlids have a reputation for being aggressive, whereas the Peacock Cichlid is fairly peaceful by Cichlid standards, hybrids notwithstanding such as OB and Dragonblood peacocks. The different varieties of the Peacock Cichlid are essentially the same fish with different coloring; this color varies depending on the region of Lake Malawi it came from. It’s important to state here though that both the juvenile and females are typically a drab gray, so if you’re looking to add color to your tank make sure to buy a male. As mentioned in our general overview section, all Peacock Cichlids come from Lake Malawi, therefore your aquarium should closely resemble to conditions found there.The lake is known for having alkaline water that is known for clarity and is extremely stable in terms of its pH level and other key parameters.The areas of the lake in which the Peacocks live, are characterized by sandy and rocky areas. So, we recommend you mimic these conditions within the tank. Matching their natural environment will reduce the stress levels of your fish and will provide them with the optimal conditions they require to stay healthy. As for water conditions within the tank, you should keep the water temperature between 76-82°F. PH levels must be kept within 7.8-8.6.Interestingly as Lake Malawi is a huge body of water it isn’t subject to rapid changes in water chemistry of sudden drops in temperature. For this reason you should ensure that your aquarium’s water temperature remains as consistent as possible.
