Peacock Cichlid Red

Peacocks, upon maturity, are the brightest cichlids in the entire world. At two inches, not so much, but at three inches, look out, gals. The red peacock truly displays color at that size. Speaking of gals, females do not display the same bright colors, but you need a few to inspire the males to display theirs. Peacock cichlids get along with nearly all African cichlids, catfish, and large tetras and barbs, and larger oddball Africans. They get beat up by Mbunas, particularly Zebra cichlids.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Give them a sand bottom, open swimming space in front and rockwork along the back. Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids need hard, alkaline water; crushed coral or aragonite sand helps hold the pH up.

Feeding: Feed a quality cichlid pellet or flake once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like brine shrimp.

Tankmates: Haps do well with peacocks and other haps of similar size, plus robust catfish like synodontis. Keep one male per similar-looking species, with several females, to limit fighting and crossbreeding.

Good to know: Males take a year or more to show full adult color, and color best when females are present.