Nkhomo-benga peacock (Aulonocara baenschi)

Scientific name: Aulonocara baenschi Meyer & Riehl, 1985

Nkhomo-benga peacock (Aulonocara baenschi)

The Nkhomo-benga peacock (Aulonocara baenschi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 12 cm (4.7 in). It is easy to keep and semi-aggressive and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 22–28°C (72–82°F) and a pH of 7.2–8.2. Native range: Africa, Endemic to Lake Malawi.

Nkhomo-benga peacock care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Adult size
12 cm (4.7 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
22–28°C (72–82°F)
pH
7.2–8.2
Hardness
10–30 dGH (178–535 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods.

Biology

Found in areas with scattered rocks on a sandy bottom. Feeds on bottom-dwelling invertebrates.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Aulonocara baenschi
Family
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
13.0
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 7.2 - 8.2; dH range: 10 - 30 benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: endemic to Lake Malawi; reported from in Chipoka, Maleri Islands, Nkhomo, and Usisya.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming Fec

More african cichlids

See all african cichlids

Can it live with...?

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

Last updated