Eureka Red Peacock

General information

The Eureka Red Peacock, scientific name Aulonocara jacobfreibergi, is a freshwater fish species that originates from Lake Malawi in Africa. This species is also commonly known as the Malawi Peacock, Jacobfreibergi Peacock, or simply Eureka Red.
The Eureka Red Peacock is a medium-sized cichlid that can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length. Males are typically larger and more colorful than females. They have a deep body with a pointed head and a sloping forehead. Their body coloration is a vibrant red-orange with blue highlights on their fins and body. Females have a less vibrant coloration with a silver-gray base and black vertical bars.

In the wild, Eureka Red Peacock feeds on invertebrates, plankton, and small fish. In captivity, they can be fed a variety of commercial fish food, including pellets, flakes, and frozen foods. It is important to ensure that their diet is varied and includes some vegetable matter.

Males are larger and have more vibrant coloration than females. Males also have elongated dorsal and anal fins, which are more rounded in females. In addition, males may display courtship behavior, such as flaring their fins and spreading their gills.

Eureka Red Peacock is a maternal mouthbrooder, which means that the female will carry the eggs and fry in her mouth until they are able to swim freely. Breeding can be triggered by raising the temperature and increasing the frequency and size of water changes. Females will lay up to 50 eggs, which are fertilized by the male, and then taken into the female's mouth for incubation. After 3-4 weeks, the fry will be released and can be fed on finely crushed flakes or newly hatched brine shrimp.

Eureka Red Peacock can be susceptible to several common fish diseases, including Ich, fin rot, and bacterial infections. It is important to maintain good water quality and provide a balanced diet to prevent disease outbreaks. Quarantining new fish before adding them to an established tank can also help prevent the spread of disease.

Native to Malawi where it has been observed at Nkudzi, Monkey Bay, Nankumba, Domwe Islands and Otter Point in Lake Malawi.

When introducing Eureka Red Peacock to a new aquarium, it is important to acclimate them slowly to prevent shock and stress. This can be done by floating the bag containing the fish in the aquarium for 20-30 minutes, then gradually adding small amounts of aquarium water to the bag over the course of an hour. Once acclimated, the fish can be released into the aquarium.