Red Albino Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara sp.)

Understand what this peacock cichlid name means

A peacock identified to genus

The Red Albino Peacock Cichlid belongs to Aulonocara, an accepted genus in the cichlid family Cichlidae. It is a haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi in East Africa and suits a keeper prepared to maintain hard, alkaline water, powerful biological filtration and a deliberately planned Malawi community. The scientific label Aulonocara sp. means that the fish is identified to genus rather than to one named species. Build its aquarium around the Malawi targets of 23–27°C, pH 8.0–8.6 and hard water, while retaining enough space and filtration capacity to adjust the plan as the fish develops.

The World Register of Marine Species recognises Aulonocara within Cichlidae and the order Cichliformes. The red albino wording is the trade identity for this animal; it does not turn Aulonocara sp. into a species name. Keep the genus-level label in aquarium notes so future stocking decisions are not accidentally based on the biology of a different peacock species.

Natural history behind the aquarium plan

The Aulonocara genus summary describes these fish as haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. Peacock cichlids are also called aulonocaras or simply peacocks, while keepers often shorten haplochromine to “hap”. All members of the genus are maternal mouth brooders, and the genus is strongly sexually dichromic. Individual colour, sex and breeding behaviour can vary.

Build the aquarium around Malawi conditions and make every companion choice against the same water, adult scale and behavioural screen. This approach gives the fish a stable environment while allowing the keeper to respond to growth and interactions within the complete community.

Choose the dispatch size and plan for growth

What one purchase includes

One purchase supplies one animal in the size selected. Use the live size selector to choose between the labels “3 - 4 cm”, “4 - 5 cm”, “5-7 cm” and “> 9 cm”. The size you select is the size supplied, not the adult size. These measurements describe the fish at dispatch; plan its permanent aquarium around future growth and the needs of the complete Malawi community.

Sex is guaranteed only when the selected option explicitly states male or female. This Red Albino Peacock Cichlid listing has no sex-guaranteed option. Do not use colour, dispatch size or gallery appearance to predict the sex of the animal received.

Use the Malawi planning numbers correctly

OATA’s African Malawi cichlid guidance gives 23–27°C, pH 8.0–8.6, general hardness of 12–18°dH and carbonate hardness of 10–15°dKH for the group. It recommends an aquarium of at least 200 litres for a reasonable-sized community, an oversized filter and strong aeration. Use those figures together: the volume is a community baseline, and filtration, adult dimensions and aggression must also be assessed before fish are added.

OATA notes that most Malawi cichlids grow to around 10 cm, while some grow up to 25 cm. Use that group pattern for conservative planning and leave enough flexibility to revise décor, filtration and stocking as this unidentified Aulonocara grows.

How to read the gallery

The gallery images are representative illustrations of this type of animal, not photographs of the animal supplied, so pattern and colours can differ from the live animal. Use them to understand the illustrated cichlid shape and scene, while assessing the live fish by its own markings and colour.

The exact species has not been identified, so the care advice here follows the genus Aulonocara and its care group.

Hold the water within the Malawi targets

Set the aquarium between 23 and 27°C, with pH from 8.0 to 8.6, general hardness from 12 to 18°dH and carbonate hardness from 10 to 15°dKH. Stability inside those ranges is the daily objective. Test before introducing the fish, after additions to the community and whenever behaviour, breathing, colour or appetite changes.

Our aquarium water chemistry guide explains what each measurement means. Use the water matcher to compare measured aquarium values with the Malawi targets rather than estimating hardness or pH from the appearance of the water.

Keep nitrogen waste under control

Measure the tap water as well as the aquarium when interpreting nitrate. If conditioned tap water measures 10 mg/l nitrate, the aquarium target is no more than 30 mg/l because that is 20 mg/l above the starting level. This relative limit matters in areas where tap-water nitrate is already measurable.

Any ammonia or nitrite reading requires immediate attention because both should remain at zero. Pause further livestock additions, check the filter and increase testing while the biological system catches up. OATA warns that Malawi cichlids can be stressed by even small amounts of ammonia and nitrite, so act on the reading before visible illness develops.

Check trends, not isolated readings

Write down temperature, pH, hardness and nitrogen readings on the same day each week. A value inside range can still signal a developing problem if it is moving steadily towards an edge. For example, a pH change from 8.5 to 8.1 remains within the stated range but deserves a check of substrate, replacement water and maintenance routine before it falls further.

Test replacement water before making a major adjustment. Match it closely enough that a water change restores cleanliness without creating an abrupt temperature or chemistry swing. Make measured corrections and retest rather than changing several parts of the system at once.

Mature the filter before increasing the stock

A well-established biological filter is essential. The RSPCA’s aquarium welfare guidance explains that fish release toxic ammonia and that beneficial filter bacteria convert it first to toxic nitrite and then to safer nitrate. Ammonia and nitrite must both read 0 mg/l before this cichlid is introduced.

Prepare the aquarium and establish its biological filtration before livestock arrives. Our first tropical aquarium guide gives a practical route through preparation and maturation. The result matters more than a fixed number of days: test results must show that the filter is processing waste.

Size filtration for a Malawi community

OATA recommends an oversized filter because Malawi communities use comparatively dense stocking to spread aggression. It also recommends strong aeration so the fish have adequate dissolved oxygen. Treat filtration and aeration as part of the stocking capacity rather than optional accessories added after problems appear.

• Before the first fish: establish the filter and confirm zero ammonia and nitrite.
• Before each addition: review recent tests and the filter’s capacity.
• After each addition: test more closely while the bacterial population adjusts to extra waste and feeding.
• During every service: check the filter for blockages and confirm that water movement remains strong.

Add fish gradually because beneficial bacteria need time to increase when the livestock population and feeding load rise. Adding too many fish too quickly can cause new tank syndrome, in which the filter cannot process the increased waste and ammonia or nitrite rises to harmful levels.

Protect the biological media

Do not rinse established filter media under the tap. Chlorine or chloramine can kill beneficial bacteria. When cleaning is necessary, rinse the media lightly in aquarium water removed during a partial water change. Avoid cleaning every component aggressively at the same time; the goal is to clear blockages while preserving the bacterial population that performs the nitrogen conversion.

If water movement weakens, inspect the intake and media rather than assuming the filter is still performing normally. Reduced flow can lower oxygen distribution and allow solid waste to collect. Restore flow, test ammonia and nitrite, and check again after the system has been running.

Build a layout that supports digging and management

Use at least 200 litres when planning a reasonable-sized Malawi community, then increase space whenever the adult dimensions, number of fish or aggression pattern require it. The aquarium must hold the selected community after growth, not merely accommodate one dispatch-sized fish on arrival.

Start with the substrate

OATA recommends coral sand or a similar substrate that helps buffer the water. Malawi cichlids often dig and rearrange the substrate, so leave areas where that behaviour does not undermine equipment or trap large pockets of debris. Expect loose plants to be disturbed and prioritise a layout that remains functional after digging.

Keep filter intakes and outlets clear of shifted substrate. Check them during weekly maintenance because a fish can alter the base gradually between services. If digging repeatedly exposes or blocks equipment, revise the arrangement rather than continually replacing the substrate in the same vulnerable position.

Use décor to manage encounters

Décor should create visual separation without consuming all usable swimming room. OATA notes that rearranging décor can help reduce aggression because fish must establish new territories. This is useful when adding a planned group or when one established territory causes repeated conflict.

Make each alteration for a defined reason. Adding décor without considering water movement can create waste traps, while removing too much structure can leave weaker fish in constant view. After a change, watch how fish move between areas and confirm that filtration and aeration still reach the whole aquarium.

Plan around growth

Use the Malawi adult-size pattern as a warning against tight layouts: most members of the group reach around 10 cm, but some grow up to 25 cm. Keep access around décor and equipment so the arrangement can be revised as this genus-level animal develops. Its selected dispatch size is the starting measurement, not the finished design brief.

Match the food to the dietary branch

Malawi cichlid diets vary, so do not treat every food carrying a Malawi label as interchangeable. OATA separates its examples into two dietary branches: smaller mbuna may benefit from specialised Malawi feeds with a high algae content and fresh vegetables, while some larger utaka may need pellets with more animal content and frozen brine shrimp, prawns or cockles.

Use those branches as a decision tool rather than combining them into an unrestricted menu. This fish is an Aulonocara peacock identified to genus. Settle the appropriate dietary branch as part of the aquarium and stocking assessment, choose food that matches that branch, and then keep the routine consistent enough to judge appetite and body condition.

Control the amount and schedule

Feed twice a day and offer only what the fish can eat within a few minutes. Stop adding food once feeding slows instead of using excitement at the first bite as a reason to add another portion. The aim is a measured meal, not food left to drift into the substrate or filter.

Overfeeding leaves uneaten material that breaks down and adds toxic waste to the water. It can push a filter that was stable at the current livestock load beyond its processing capacity. Portion control therefore supports both nutrition and the zero-ammonia, zero-nitrite targets.

Judge the routine by outcomes

Watch feeding interest, body condition and the amount of waste produced. A sudden reduction in food intake is one of OATA’s warning signs, especially when it appears alongside altered breathing, colour, swimming or behaviour. Test the water before changing several foods at once, because an appetite change can coincide with a water-quality problem.

Keep the adult and dispatch measurements separate when portioning. A fish from a smaller size choice needs a portion it can finish within the same few-minute window; it does not need an adult-sized ration. Adjust the amount from observation while retaining the twice-daily schedule.

Make the weekly maintenance routine non-negotiable

Make a partial water change of 25% at least once every week. Use a siphon to remove solid waste from the substrate, especially where food and waste collect around décor. Treat replacement tap water with a conditioner that removes chlorine or chloramine before it enters the aquarium.

Complete one connected weekly routine

1. Test temperature, pH, hardness, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.
2. Record the results and compare them with previous weeks.
3. Siphon waste while removing 25% of the water.
4. Condition the replacement water and match it closely to the aquarium.
5. Check filter intakes, outlets and media for blockages.
6. Confirm that aeration and circulation remain strong after refilling.

This order links measurements to actions. Testing before the water change shows what developed during the week; testing again when a reading was outside target shows whether the maintenance corrected it.

Clean the filter without stripping it

Only clean media when flow or accumulated dirt makes it necessary. Rinse it lightly in the aquarium water removed during the change, never under the tap. This protects the bacteria that convert ammonia and nitrite while still clearing debris that restricts flow.

A filter service is not a substitute for the water change. The filter processes waste but does not remove every dissolved end product from the aquarium. Likewise, a large water change cannot compensate for a blocked or biologically damaged filter. Keep both parts of the routine working together.

Use the first month to establish a baseline

Keep weekly notes through the first month after introduction. Record test values, feeding response, aggression and any change in filter flow. A consistent record makes gradual drift easier to see and prevents normal behaviour for this individual from being confused with a new warning sign.

If the aquarium repeatedly returns to harmful readings before the next weekly service, reduce the pressure on the system rather than relying on emergency maintenance as the normal routine. Reassess feeding, stocking pace, filter capacity and waste collection points.

Acclimatise slowly and watch the first week

Prepare before the delivery window

Arrange for someone to receive the parcel because live fish must not be left unattended. Confirm in advance that the aquarium is mature, the temperature and Malawi chemistry are in range, and ammonia and nitrite are both 0 mg/l. Complete cycling and compatibility planning before the fish arrives.

Read the current delivery and Live Arrival Guarantee policy before the delivery day so the receipt, acclimatisation and claim steps are clear.

Follow the arrival steps

1. Be present to receive the sealed parcel and start filming continuously before it is opened.
2. Keep the outer box visible while opening it in one continuous take, then show the fish still inside the sealed bag.
3. Float the bag for 20–30 minutes.
4. Release the fish without pouring the bag water into the aquarium.
5. Observe swimming, breathing and the response from established fish.

Keep the bag attended while it floats, and make sure the aquarium is already at its intended stable temperature before release.

Use behaviour as an early checkpoint

Healthy fish generally show clear, bright eyes, undamaged fins, intact scales and swimming appropriate to the animal. Individual behaviour can vary, so establish a baseline rather than expecting constant movement or immediate feeding. Pay closest attention to change: hanging at the surface, sitting on the bottom, erratic swimming, altered gill movement, unusual hiding or a sudden shift in aggression all justify a water test.

During the first week, test ammonia and nitrite more closely because the filter must adjust to the extra waste and feeding. Both readings should remain at zero. Also check that established fish do not focus repeated aggression on the newcomer and that the new fish can move through the aquarium without being continually intercepted.

Increase the community only slowly after this introduction. A stable first few days do not mean the filter can immediately accept several more fish. Let testing and observed behaviour determine the next stocking step.

Respond to health changes with observation and testing

Learn the fish’s normal swimming, colour, feeding response, breathing and position in the aquarium. OATA advises watching for changes in those areas because a departure from the individual baseline can reveal a developing problem before it becomes severe.

Use visible changes as action prompts

Start with measurements because ammonia and nitrite must remain at zero and nitrate must stay within its stated limit. Also check temperature, pH, hardness, filter flow and aeration. A complete set of readings is more useful than changing food, décor and maintenance simultaneously without knowing which condition shifted.

Separate water correction from diagnosis

Restore the stated environmental targets when a test shows a problem, using conditioned replacement water and a measured partial change. Check for a blocked filter, reduced flow, accumulated waste or recent rapid stocking. Continue testing until the values remain stable rather than assuming one corrective action has finished the job.

Appearance and behaviour can point to a concern, but they do not identify a treatment by themselves. If health changes persist, record the test results and contact us for further guidance. Include when the change began, whether appetite or breathing changed, and whether another fish is directing aggression at the affected animal.

Keep routine observations brief and consistent

Observe at feeding time and during weekly maintenance, when changes are easiest to compare. Check eyes, fins, scales, body condition, swimming, breathing and response to other fish. A short consistent check is more useful than occasional long observations with no baseline.

Do not dismiss repeated hiding or aggression as inevitable cichlid behaviour. Compare it with the fish’s usual pattern and the community structure. When one animal is continually displaced, move to the compatibility actions rather than waiting for fin or scale damage.

Screen every companion before mixing

Malawi cichlids are colourful but aggressive fish and must be mixed cautiously. OATA advises keeping them only with other Malawi cichlids or with some species of Synodontis catfish that also naturally inhabit Lake Malawi. Avoid building this aquarium as a conventional mixed tropical community.

That rule defines the pool for assessment; it does not make every Malawi fish or every Lake Malawi Synodontis an automatic match. The animal is identified only as Aulonocara sp., so screen each proposed companion for adult dimensions, aggression, water requirements, feeding access and the space needed by the full community.

Use a five-part stocking screen

1. Water: every fish must suit 23–27°C, pH 8.0–8.6 and hard water.
2. Adult scale: compare planning sizes, not dispatch measurements.
3. Aggression: avoid a mix in which one fish is continually targeted or displaced.
4. Feeding: ensure each fish can receive its matched diet without chronic competition.
5. Capacity: confirm that the aquarium and filter can support the complete plan.

Browse the African cichlid collection to build a shortlist, then assess each fish rather than treating collection placement as a compatibility guarantee. Product size choices are dispatch measurements and cannot replace adult planning.

Assess the whole community at once

Compatibility is a property of the complete aquarium, not a label attached to one pair of fish. A combination may fail because of limited capacity, an established territory or the order of introduction even when both fish belong to the Malawi pool.

Contact us with the aquarium volume, dimensions, measured water values, existing species and sizes, and the proposed additions for a stocking assessment. Include the number of each fish, because aggression management depends on the community structure rather than names alone.

Manage aggression as a system

Malawi cichlids are not social fish in the usual community sense and may be highly aggressive. OATA says they can be kept in groups of at least 15 and slightly overcrowded to spread aggression, while small groups often fight. Apply that method only within an aquarium and filtration plan capable of handling the resulting waste and oxygen demand.

Do not create an accidental small group

One purchase here supplies one animal; it is not a ready-made social group. If using the Malawi group method, plan the full community deliberately instead of stopping at a token pair or trio. The OATA baseline is at least 200 litres for a reasonable-sized community, but the final capacity must also account for growth, adult dimensions, behaviour and filter performance.

Where possible, OATA recommends more females than males of each species to reduce the risk of one female receiving repeated harassment. This offer does not guarantee sex, and many Malawi cichlids show sexual differences only after becoming adults. Do not build a precise sex ratio around colour, an illustration or a juvenile-sized fish.

Use introduction order to reduce pressure

Add Malawi cichlids in groups rather than leaving one newcomer to receive all the attention. Introduce more peaceful species before more aggressive ones. Rearranging décor before release can disrupt established territories and make the aquarium less predictable to a dominant fish.

Balance aggression control with water quality

Slight overstocking is an aggression-management technique, not permission to exceed the biological capacity of the aquarium. Pair it with an oversized filter, strong aeration, gradual stocking, weekly testing and a 25% water change at least once a week. If ammonia or nitrite appears, the aquarium is failing a basic water-quality requirement regardless of whether aggression seems reduced.

Observe whether every fish can feed and occupy space without continuous pursuit. Short displays or chasing may occur in an aggressive cichlid community, but a fish that cannot settle, feed or escape attention needs an immediate review of the stocking and layout.

Answer the key questions before choosing this fish

How big does the Red Albino Peacock Cichlid get?

This fish is identified as Aulonocara sp., so plan flexibly as it grows; OATA’s Malawi-group guidance says most Malawi cichlids reach around 10 cm while some grow up to 25 cm.

What size aquarium does the Red Albino Peacock Cichlid need?

OATA recommends at least 200 litres for a reasonable-sized Malawi community, with an oversized filter and strong aeration; increase capacity when the community’s adult dimensions, numbers or aggression require it.

How many Red Albino Peacock Cichlids should I keep together?

One purchase supplies one fish, while OATA says Malawi cichlids can be kept in aggression-spreading groups of at least 15 because small groups often fight; plan that number as a complete Malawi community rather than 15 of this unidentified peacock.

Is the Red Albino Peacock Cichlid suitable for beginners?

It suits a keeper able to maintain hard, alkaline water, zero ammonia and nitrite, oversized filtration and a deliberately managed Malawi community; no store care-level rating has been assigned.

What does the Red Albino Peacock Cichlid eat?

Match its food to the appropriate OATA Malawi dietary branch, then feed twice a day and offer only what it can finish within a few minutes.

What temperature and pH does it need?

OATA’s Malawi-group guidance gives 23–27°C, pH 8.0–8.6, general hardness of 12–18°dH and carbonate hardness of 10–15°dKH.

Is this fish aggressive or likely to nip fins?

OATA describes Malawi cichlids as aggressive and advises mixing them cautiously; watch for repeated chasing, displacement, fin damage or a fish that cannot feed or settle, then revise the stocking and layout.

Which animals can this peacock live with?

OATA limits the companion pool to other Malawi cichlids or some Synodontis species that naturally inhabit Lake Malawi; screen every candidate for adult dimensions, aggression, water needs, feeding access and aquarium capacity.

How does it arrive alive in the UK?

Someone must be present to receive it. Film every delivery continuously from the sealed parcel as it is opened, showing the fish still in the sealed bag; then float the bag for 20–30 minutes and never pour the bag water into the aquarium.

Reference the identity and welfare bibliography

• World Register of Marine Species: Aulonocara — accepted genus, family and order.
• Aulonocara genus summary — distribution, hobby names, haplochromine identity and maternal mouth brooding.
• OATA: How to look after African Malawi cichlids — water, aquarium, feeding, maintenance, observation and compatibility.
• RSPCA aquarium environment guidance — biological filtration and nitrogen-waste processing.