If you're seeking to add the serious pop associated with color to your aquarium tank, the sunburst peacock cichlid is usually probably already on the radar. These seafood are absolute showstoppers, known for all those brilliant oranges in addition to yellows that make them seem like they're literally glowing under the right DIRECTED lights. They aren't just pretty faces, though; they've obtained plenty of personality which classic cichlid curiosity that makes them such a favorite for hobbyists who want more compared to just a "decoration" in their living room.
What Exactly Is a Sunburst Peacock Cichlid?
It's worth mentioning right off the bat which you won't find a sunburst peacock cichlid swimming around in the wild in River Malawi. While their particular ancestors definitely originate from Africa, the Sunburst is a man-made color strain. Dog breeders have spent yrs selectively picking the brightest, most extremely colored individuals to create this unique look.
Most of them are descendants of the Aulonocara genus. If you've actually heard people talking about "OB" (orange-blotched) peacocks, the Sunburst is often related to all those or other hybrids like the Dragon Blood. The end result is a seafood that stays relatively manageable in size—usually topping out around five or six inches—but carries enough color to competing a saltwater saltwater fish.
Getting the Tank Set up Right
A person can't just throw a sunburst peacock cichlid directly into a ten-gallon tank and expect it to be content. These guys need area to swim and, moreover, space in order to claim a little territory.
Choosing the Perfect Tank Size
I'd say the 55-gallon tank is usually the minimum amount if you're thinking about maintaining a single man or a small harem. If you want a complete community of various peacock varieties, you really should be looking at the 75-gallon or even a 125-gallon setup. The more space on the floor, the better, mainly because these fish have a tendency to hang out there in the lower and middle sections of the water line.
Sand compared to. Gravel
One thing you'll notice fairly quickly is that will your sunburst peacock cichlid enjoys to dig. Within the wild, their forefathers sift through the sand looking regarding tiny morsels associated with food. Due to this, I always recommend utilizing a fine sand substrate instead of chunky pea gravel. Gravel can occasionally have sharp sides that scratch their mouths, and truthfully, watching them scoop up mouthfuls of sand and throw it out is half the owning them.
Rocks and Concealing Spots
You'll want plenty of rockwork, but don't go as crazy since you would along with Mbuna cichlids. Peacocks need open swimming space. Use stones to create caverns and breaks in the line of view. This really is super useful if one fish decides to get a bit pushy—the others need a spot to duck out associated with view and catch their breath.
Water Parameters plus Quality
Considering that their roots are in Lake Malawi, these fish are usually used to water that is hard and alkaline. If your tap water is usually naturally soft, you might need to use a few cichlid salts or crushed coral in your filter in order to help buffer the particular pH.
- Temperature: Keep it good between 76°F plus 82°F.
- pH: They really thrive in the 7. eight to 8. 6 range.
- Water Changes: These are messy fish. They a new great deal and produce a fair amount of waste materials. I usually aim for a 30% to 50% drinking water change every week in order to keep the nitrates down. If you let the water quality slide, you'll notice their colors start to dull, and nobody wants a "greyish" sunburst.
The Personality and Temperament Factor
The sunburst peacock cichlid is often described because "peaceful, " yet let's be real—they are still cichlids. Compared to the intense Mbuna types that will spend all time chasing each various other, peacocks are even more chill. However, a male Sunburst is usually still going to be the california king of his fortress.
If you have two men in a small tank, they're heading to scrap. Typically the best way in order to manage this is either to keep just one male with a number of females or to opt for an "all-male" setup. All-male tanks are popular since the males have the best colours, but it requires a lot of careful handling to ensure one guy doesn't become the total bully.
What Should You Nourish Them?
Serving a sunburst peacock cichlid is usually pretty straightforward, but you want to end up being careful about what's in their foods. In the crazy, they're insectivores, meaning they eat plenty of little pests and larvae.
High-Quality Pellets
An excellent quality sinking pellet should be the staple of the diet. Appear for items that describes color enhancement—usually that contains things like spirulina or krill—which assists in keeping those oranges and reds looking razor-sharp.
Periodic Treats
These people love frozen goodies like brine shrimp or mysis shrimp. Just be careful with bloodworms; some keepers swear these people lead to "Malawi Bloat, " an awful digestive issue. I actually usually play it safe and stay with brine shrimp a few times a week as a special treat.
Finding the right Container Mates
Finding friends for the sunburst peacock cichlid isn't too hard as long as a person stay inside the Lake Malawi family.
- Additional Peacocks: Blue Neons, Sulfur Heads, or Flavescents can look solid collectively.
- Haps (Haplochromis): Fish like the Electric Blue Ali are usually generally compatible because they occupy different areas from the tank and have different body shapes, which decreases some of the particular "hey, you look like me, let's fight" vibes.
- Catfish: A few Synodontis catfish are great for cleansing up leftover foods and they mostly stay out associated with the cichlids' method.
Avoid keeping them with really aggressive Mbuna like Kenyi or Auratus cichlids. The sunburst peacock cichlid just doesn't have the "mean" gear required to handle those types of roommates, and they'll likely end upward stressed or wounded.
The Distinction Between Men and women
If you're buying juveniles, it could be a bit of the gamble. Young sunburst peacock cichlid specimens all appear a bit bland—mostly silvery or gentle brown. As these people mature, the males "color up" straight into those insane grapefruits. The females, however, stay pretty clear.
In case you're looking for that specific sunburst glow, you'll want to make certain you're getting a guaranteed male. Most hobbyists prefer purchasing "sub-adults" so they can already see the color starting to pop.
Breeding the particular Sunburst Peacock Cichlid
If a person have a male and a few females, don't end up being surprised in case you end up with children. Peacocks are mouthbrooders, which is one of the coolest items to witness. The woman will pick up the eggs in her mouth perfect after they're fertilized and carry all of them there for about three weeks.
During this period, she won't eat much, if at all. You'll see her "tumbling" the eggs in her throat to help keep them oxygenated. Once the fry are ready, she'll spit all of them out into a safe spot. When you want the particular babies to survive, you'll probably require to move her to an independent nursery tank, otherwise, another fish in the main tank will see the particular fry as the tasty snack.
Common Medical issues in order to Watch For
The sunburst peacock cichlid is generally pretty hardy, however they aren't invincible. The biggest threat is generally poor water high quality. Aside from the mentioned "bloat, " they can be prone to "hole-in-the-head" disease in case their water isn't kept clean or even if they aren't getting the correct vitamins in their particular food.
If you call at your fish flashing (rubbing against rocks), it may be a sign associated with parasites or simply a reaction in order to high ammonia amounts. Regular testing and water changes are your best close friends here.
Why They're Worth the particular Effort
Truthfully, there aren't a lot of freshwater fish that can compete along with a proper sunburst peacock cichlid whenever it comes in order to visual impact. They will bring a degree of energy and brightness to the room that's tough to beat. Yes, they require a bit more maintenance than a goldfish, and you have to become smart about their own tank mates, but once you see a dominant male exhibiting his fins in the morning light, you'll realize it's totally worth it.
They're interactive, too. Right after a while, they'll begin to recognize you as "the individual using the food" plus will rush to the glass when you walk into the room. It's that will combination of beauty and personality that makes the Sunburst among the absolute best enhancements to any African cichlid tank.