Maleri Gold Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara sp. "Maleri")

The Maleri Gold Peacock Cichlid is a yellow-gold Lake Malawi peacock sold in the aquarium trade under names including Maleri Peacock, Yellow Peacock and Sunshine Peacock. The most careful working identity for this form is Aulonocara sp. "stuartgranti maleri"; the supplier name Aulonocara maleri gold is a trade label rather than a formally settled scientific binomial.

One quantity buys one fish in the size grade selected above. Sex, adult colour and pair formation are not guaranteed unless a variant explicitly says otherwise. Young fish and females are naturally much less yellow than a mature displaying male, so choose this cichlid for its adult care needs rather than expecting every juvenile to arrive in full gold colour.

Maleri Gold Peacock quick facts

Name, appearance and juvenile colour

The Maleri form belongs to the Aulonocara peacock group. Specialist cichlid references continue to use the provisional label Aulonocara sp. "stuartgranti maleri", while shops may shorten that to Aulonocara maleri, Maleri Gold or Sunshine Peacock. Keeping both names on this page makes the trade identity searchable without pretending the taxonomic question is settled.

A mature dominant male can develop a yellow to gold body, darker vertical bars and blue iridescent detail around the face and fin edges. Females, subdominant males and juveniles are usually grey-brown or beige with darker barring. Colour develops at different rates and is affected by age, sex, social status, lighting and settling-in time. The current gallery picture is a representative juvenile image, not a photograph of the exact fish that will be dispatched.

Aquarium size and layout

Plan around the adult fish, not the dispatch size. A 120 cm aquarium of roughly 200 litres is a practical lower starting point for a carefully managed Maleri group with one adult male territory. A longer 140 cm aquarium and roughly 300-400 litres gives a safer margin when keeping more than one male or building a mixed peacock and hap community. Footprint, sightline breaks and territory space matter more than volume alone.

Recreate the rock-sand transition zone rather than filling the whole tank with rock. Use fine, smooth sand for natural sifting, open patches for feeding and swimming, and stable rock groups that form shaded retreats and visual barriers. Make rockwork secure so digging cannot undermine it. Efficient biological filtration, good surface movement and regular maintenance are important because Malawi cichlids are active feeders and do poorly when water quality or chemistry swings.

Water conditions

Keep this fish in stable, alkaline, mineral-rich water at about 24-26°C and pH 7.5-8.5. Stability is more important than forcing a particular number with sudden chemical adjustments. Test the source water before purchase, establish the aquarium fully, and make changes gradually. This is not a suitable match for soft, acidic community fish simply because those species share a similar temperature range.

• Cycle and mature the aquarium before adding livestock.
• Match replacement water closely for temperature and chemistry.
• Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and prevent waste building up in the sand or behind rockwork.
• Maintain oxygenation and surface movement, especially in a heavily stocked Malawi aquarium.

Feeding a sand-sifting peacock

Wild Maleri-type peacocks locate small invertebrates in sandy areas using the enlarged sensory pores typical of Aulonocara. In the aquarium, use a quality sinking pellet or granule formulated for peacock and hap cichlids as the staple. Rotate modest portions of mysis, daphnia or brine shrimp for variety. Food should be small enough for the selected fish and reach the lower-middle part of the tank without encouraging frantic surface competition.

Feed controlled portions rather than one large meal, remove obvious leftovers, and do not use colour-enhancing food as a substitute for correct water, space and social conditions. Juvenile colour is not a reliable guide to appetite or health; judge new arrivals by steady breathing, balance, alertness and a gradually returning feeding response.

Temperament and tank mates

This is often one of the less combative Malawi choices, but "peaceful" is misleading without context. Mature males defend display and spawning areas, and similar-looking males may be treated as rivals. A typical long-term social plan is one male with several females after sex can be identified. Because the smaller size grades may be unsexed, allow for future separation or rehoming if the group develops too many males.

Every aquarium has its own territory pattern. Watch feeding access, torn fins, hiding, rapid breathing and repeated chasing after introduction, and be ready to separate a fish rather than waiting for persistent aggression to resolve itself. Browse the wider Malawi cichlid collection by adult size, temperament and water requirements rather than colour alone.

Sexing and breeding

Mature males usually show the strongest yellow-gold and blue colour, while females remain smaller and more muted. Juveniles cannot always be sexed reliably from colour, and a stressed or subordinate male can also remain pale. This listing therefore does not promise a male, female or breeding pair.

Maleri peacocks are maternal mouthbrooders. A receptive female collects the fertilised eggs and carries the developing brood in her mouth for roughly three weeks, during which she may eat very little. Breeding males become more territorial. If fry are raised, keep accurate parent records and do not distribute hybrids under a locality or species name. The general cichlid care guide explains the wider family behaviour and setup principles.

Arrival and first-week care

Have the mature aquarium, selected size-appropriate retreats and compatible residents ready before delivery. On arrival, keep the lights low, match temperature and follow the acclimation instructions supplied with the order. Avoid a large first feed. During the first week, check breathing, posture, fins, colour, appetite and whether the fish can reach food without being pinned behind rockwork.

Livestock orders are covered by the current terms of our Live Arrival Guarantee. Read the policy before dispatch so you know the delivery-day checks and contact steps. The guarantee supports a safe arrival; long-term success still depends on mature filtration, compatible stocking and stable Lake Malawi water.

Identity and care references

This care note distinguishes the supplier trade name from the provisional Maleri identity. It was checked against the FishBase Aulonocara stuartgranti record, M. K. Oliver's account of Aulonocara sp. "stuartgranti maleri", the Nordic Cichlid Society species register and Ad Konings' Maleri Islands field sheet. Where specialist sources use different aquarium minima, this page gives the lower practical threshold and clearly recommends more space for more complex stocking.