Species profile
Dragon Blood Peacock
Aulonocara hybrid
Semi aggressive
Moderate care
280 L minimum aquarium
10–12 cm adult size
Mid bottom
Minimum group: 4
About this species
General notes for hobby use.
Line-bred/captive hybrid Peacock sold for intense red-orange colour. Treat as a Malawi hybrid, not a formal Aulonocara species.
Water parameters
Suggested general range for long-term care.
Temperature
22–26 °C
pH
7.5–8.5
GH
Up to 25 dGH
KH
Not yet documented
Flow preference
Moderate
Data confidence
Verified
Behaviour
General behaviour traits used by TanksConnected compatibility checks.
Minimum group size
Minimum group: 4
Tank zone
Mid bottom
Territory level
Moderate
Predation risk
Tiny fry
Bioload factor
2.7
Best managed as one male with several females or within a carefully stocked Malawi community. Hybrid lines vary, so leave more space than colour-strain marketing often suggests.
Compatibility flags
Quick cautions for common tank-planning issues.
Fin nipper
No
Plant safe
Yes
Shrimp safe
No / caution
Snail safe
Yes
Cave breeder
No
Digs substrate
Yes
Jump risk
Yes
Natural history & care
Research-backed context for long-term aquarium care.
Lifespan
Not yet documented
Diet type
Omnivore
Minimum aquarium volume
280 L
Minimum footprint
120 × 45 cm
Alternative names
Dragon Blood Peacock, Dragonblood Peacock, Aulonocara hybrid, Aulonocara sp. hybrid
Native range
Captive aquarium hybrid/line-bred strain; no natural geographic range.
Natural habitat
Hard alkaline Malawi conditions with open sand and rock structure. Strong biological filtration and stable water chemistry are more important than decorative replication of one wild locality.
Diet & feeding
Quality cichlid pellets/granules plus varied frozen invertebrates; avoid excessive high-protein feeding and obesity.
Breeding & sexing
Research-backed guidance for identifying sexes and reproductive behaviour.
Sexing
Males are normally larger and much more intensely red/orange; females are duller, although domestic line variation is considerable.
Breeding
Maternal mouthbrooder typical of Aulonocara-type hybrids. Females incubate eggs/fry orally and hybrid offspring may not breed true for colour.