African Cichlid – Peacock – Blue Orchid Peacock German Line (Aulonocara “Kandeense”) – 4-5cm

Blue Orchid Peacock – German Line

The Aulonocara Kandeense or Blue Orchid Peacock, is an African cichlid found near Kande Island in Lake Malawi in southeastern Africa. This fish needs a hard water, alkaline environment with a high pH of 7.6-8.6, a temperature of 73-82 degrees Fahrenheit and a sandy substrate accented with rocks for protection and to provide for territorial behavior. A minimum tank size of 55 gallons is necessary for growth and breeding.

Blue Orchid Peacock cichlids are semi-aggressive carnivores that can grow up to 5 inches long, with females being slightly smaller. They prefer a high protein diet of blood worms and brine shrimp, but the diet can be supplemented with cichlid pellets and flake foods.

The Aulonocara Kandeense or Blue Orchid cichlid is a dimorphic species, with males developing a dark blue color with a bright blue blaze along the top of its mouth, dorsal fin, tail and pelvic fin. Bright yellow spots appear on the anal fin. Females are silver.

• Species – Aulonocara “Kandeense”
• Common Name – Blue Orchid Peacoc
• Origin – Lake Malawi
• Diet – Omnivore but mostly carnivorous
• PH Range – Alkaline 7.5 – 8.5
• Water Type – Hard
• Temperature – Tropical 24°c
• Breed Type – Mouth brooder
• Maximum Size – approximately 12cm
• Sex – Un-sexed