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PEA1703S

BLUE GOLD PEACOCK (Aulonocara Korneliae) 2"

BLUE GOLD PEACOCK (Aulonocara Korneliae) 2"

$24.99 CAD
$24.99 CAD
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25 in stock
Aulonocara korneliae, commonly known in the aquarium trade as the Blue Gold Peacock, Chizumulu Peacock, or Blue Orchard Peacock, is a highly prized, visually striking species of haplochromine cichlid.
🌍 Origin & Natural Habitat
  • Endemic Location: It is found exclusively around Chizumulu Island in Lake Malawi, East Africa.
  • The Biotope: They inhabit the "intermediate zone"—the transition region where rocky reefs meet open expanses of sand, typically at shallow depths between 3 to 10 metres
  • The "Listening" Hunter: In the wild, they hover over the sandy floor. They possess specialized sensory pores on their heads that allow them to "listen" for the micro-movements of tiny invertebrates buried in the sand before diving down to scoop them up.
🎨 Appearance & Dimorphism
  • Adult Size: Males reach up to 11–12 cm (approx. 4.5 inches), while females remain slightly smaller at around 8–10 cm.
  • Males: Exhibit intense, metallic blue coloration across the head and body, distinctly contrasted by a brilliant orange to golden-yellow shoulder and lower ventral area. Their anal fins showcase prominent egg spots used during mating.
  • Females & Juveniles: Are much more cryptically coloured, maintaining a muted silver-grey or brown hue with faint vertical bars for camouflage.
🐠 Aquarium Care Sheet
Because Aulonocara korneliae is comparatively peaceful and smaller than many other African cichlids, it makes an excellent choice for a dedicated Malawi setup.
Parameter Recommended Level
Minimum Tank Size 240 Litres (63+ gallons); minimum 4-foot tank length.
Water Temperature 24°C – 27°C (75°F – 81°F).
Water pH 7.5 – 8.5 (hard, alkaline water typical of Lake Malawi).
Substrate Fine sand is mandatory so they can safely sift for food without damaging their gills.
Aquarium Decor Scattered rock formations creating caves/territories alongside wide open sandy areas for swimming and hunting.
Diet Carnivorous; feed high-quality sinking cichlid pellets, supplemented with frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and daphnia.
🧬 Temperament & Breeding
  • Social Structure: Best kept in a harem setup featuring one male to several females. This prevents a single female from being overly stressed by the male's breeding advances.
  • Tankmates: Keep them away from overly aggressive Mbuna cichlids or much larger Haplochromis species, which will bully or outcompete them, causing the male to lose his brilliant colors.
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