Usisia Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara usyssia) 3-4 cm

Overview

The Usisia Peacock Cichlid, Aulonocara usyssia, is a beautiful Malawi cichlid offered here at 3–4 cm, making it an excellent choice for aquarists looking to grow on a young fish and enjoy its full adult colouration as it matures. Like other peacock cichlids, this species is prized for its calm but alert behaviour, elegant shape, and the intense colours males can develop under the right conditions.

Peacock cichlids are among the most popular African cichlids for good reason: they are active, visually striking, and generally less aggressive than many other Malawi species when kept in the correct environment. The Usisia Peacock Cichlid is best suited to a hard, alkaline aquarium with stable water quality and plenty of swimming space. With good care, this species can reach around 12 cm in length and live for many years, rewarding keepers with constant activity and impressive display colour.

At Tropical Fish Co, we supply healthy livestock with a live arrival guarantee and fast UK delivery, so your fish arrive in the best possible condition for acclimatisation and long-term success.

Care at a Glance

Origin & Natural Habitat

Aulonocara species are native to Lake Malawi in East Africa, one of the world’s most famous rift lakes and home to an extraordinary diversity of cichlids. In the wild, peacock cichlids are typically associated with sandy areas, transitional zones, and rocky edges where they forage close to the substrate. They use specialised sensory pits on the head to detect movement in the sand, helping them locate small invertebrates and other food items.

The Usisia Peacock Cichlid shares the classic Malawi peacock profile: a streamlined body, strong fins, and a preference for open swimming areas with nearby shelter. In nature, these fish live in mineral-rich, alkaline water with excellent oxygenation and stable temperatures. Replicating those conditions in the aquarium is the key to keeping them healthy, colourful, and confident.

Tank Setup & Water Parameters

For best results, house the Usisia Peacock Cichlid in a Malawi-style aquarium of at least 250 litres, with larger tanks strongly recommended if keeping a group or a mixed cichlid community. A longer tank is preferable to a tall one, as these fish appreciate horizontal swimming space. Use a fine sand substrate where possible, as this is more natural for the species and allows for comfortable foraging.

Decor should include rockwork arranged to create caves, crevices, and broken sight lines. This helps reduce territorial pressure, especially between males and other cichlids. Leave open areas for swimming and avoid overcrowding the tank with hardscape. Strong filtration is essential, as Malawi cichlids are active and produce a fair amount of waste. Aim for high oxygenation and regular water changes to maintain pristine conditions.

Keep the water temperature between 24 and 26°C, with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5 and hardness around 10–30 dGH. Stability matters more than chasing exact numbers, so use a reliable test kit and maintain consistent parameters. If your tap water is naturally soft, you may need to buffer and mineralise it appropriately for Malawi cichlids.

Young fish like this 3–4 cm specimen should be acclimatised carefully and fed appropriately sized foods. As they grow, males may become more vivid and territorial, so plan your stocking around the adult size rather than the juvenile size.

Feeding Guide

Usisia Peacock Cichlids are omnivorous, but in the aquarium they do best on a diet with a strong meaty component. Offer high-quality cichlid pellets or granules as the staple, ideally formulated for African cichlids. Supplement this with frozen or live foods such as mysis shrimp, krill, daphnia, and brine shrimp. Small amounts of vegetable matter can also be included, but avoid relying on very fatty or overly rich foods.

Feed little and often rather than offering large meals. Two to three small feeds per day is ideal for growing juveniles, while adults can be fed once or twice daily. Remove uneaten food to protect water quality. As with most Malawi cichlids, avoid feeding too much mammal-based protein, which can contribute to digestive issues.

Tank Mates / Compatibility

The Usisia Peacock Cichlid is generally more peaceful than many other African cichlids, but it still needs suitable tank mates and enough space. The best companions are other Malawi peacocks, haps, and similarly sized cichlids with compatible temperaments. Keep a sensible male-to-female ratio if breeding groups are intended, and avoid placing multiple highly dominant males in smaller aquariums.

Good tank mates include robust, non-fin-nipping fish that enjoy similar water conditions. Avoid delicate community fish, very small species that may be bullied or eaten, and aggressive Mbuna that may outcompete or harass peacocks. As always with cichlids, individual temperament varies, so aquascape, tank size, and stocking density all play an important role in long-term harmony.

When introduced to a well-structured tank, the Usisia Peacock Cichlid can be a rewarding centrepiece fish that brings movement and colour without the extreme aggression associated with some other cichlid groups.

Why Buy from Tropical Fish Co

We select and supply healthy aquarium livestock with care, so you can buy with confidence. Every order is backed by our live arrival guarantee and sent with fast UK delivery, helping ensure your fish arrive safely and settle in well. Our live fish are handled with attention to welfare, packed professionally, and dispatched to minimise stress in transit.

Whether you are building a Malawi display or adding a young peacock cichlid to an established setup, the Usisia Peacock Cichlid is a superb choice for keepers who want colour, personality, and long-term interest. If you are ready to grow on a striking African cichlid from a juvenile size, this is an excellent option for your aquarium.