Jump to content

peacock cichlids keeping hard?


Roos

Recommended Posts

Hi guys, last night i noticed my marble peacock lip locking with my jacobfreibergi Eureka , i don't think this will end yet.. looked like a stalemate. But the marble seems more keen to go again for a second round.......should i let them be ? or remove one?

The marble is more aggressive to a lot in my tank the jacobfreibergi Eureka is more friendly to most in my tank.

Whats your take on this please guys?

there both same size, roughly  to 3-31/2 inch size.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

hi guys, just noticed  last night my Marble peacock and Jocobfreibergi Peacock lip locking, there both roughly same size, just keep a eye on them both or remove one? there both 3 and a half inch in size. Worried they might try to hurt each other, there both beautiful fish, bit if i had to remove one it would be the marble peacock as he seems more aggressive to afew of fish as the jabobfreiergi is more friendly.

 

 

Ended up having to relocate the Marble peacock, i could see a injury coming......they kept sparing and jaw locking..... but the dudE marble peacock kept looking for trouble.  might put him back in when  the others grow to be bigger, i will see.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In my opinion, mixing the hybrid peacocks like OBs with the pure strain peacocks and gentler haps will always be an uphill battle.  The OBs have a mix of genetics from both peacock and mbuna.  They typically have the mbuna aggression but in the bigger, faster body of the peacock.  That’s a recipe for disaster, particularly in a tank with more peaceful pure strain peacocks and the non-piscivore haps.    Very few people achieve a stable tank, long-term with that sort of mix.    
 

I personally think you need to either stick with the rougher, tougher, more robust fish that can both give and accept a hammering, or choose a selection of the gentler, more placid fish.  Unfortunately you have a mix of both. 

 

There are options for tank set-up that can help.  I’m very firmly not a fan of the bare-tank school of thinking.  Theory with a bare tank is that the fish have nothing to fight over.  In practice what happens is that the dominant fish claims the whole tank as his territory.  In the lake a less dominant fish just swims away from trouble.  In the artificial confines of a glass box he has nowhere to go.  In a bare tank that subdominant fish has no option; he is forced to stand his ground and fight, and usually that doesn’t end well.  Even if he isn’t badly damaged in the first few encounters, the level of stress involved in living in that environment 24/7 usually sees the sub-dom succumb to one ailment or another over time.

 

I personally like to see tanks set up with tall structure which breaks the line of sight from one end of the tank to the other.  Ideally that “structure” breaks the tank into several discrete compartments.  What happens there is that a dominant fish tends to take up residence within a “compartment”, and he defends just that area.  Multiple compartments provides multiple territories for fish.  Providing caves and retreats for the subdominant fish also gives them additional ability to get out of sight of an aggressor. 
 

It’s also worth spending a bit of time researching the fish you are keeping to understand their specific requirements.  While the common view seems to be that haps and peacocks are open water fish, that isn’t the case for a significant proportion of the haps/peacocks kept in the hobby.  Many of the peacocks in particular are cave dwellers and they really appreciate a degree cover in the tank.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the information.

Yeah that was the second marble peacock i put in, thought  maybe first one was just a nasty fish , but seems they all are .

all fish in tank are getting on well...... borleyi,  Similis,  Sulfur crest,  taiwan reef, Tetrastigma , yellow benga,  are all the  biggest guys, about 4 and a half inch now, rest are all about 3inch. 

So far so good, i hope it stays good like this. I added 1 Placidochromis Phenochilus Gissel, all fish like him, looks to be very peaceful, also 4 and a half inch in size.

 

Good idea what you said though, about rocks and such so there out of line of sight of each other, i will look into getting some tall slate rocks,slabs.

 

Taking the marble peacock out has really relaxed all my fish, i noticed a huge difference.

 

4 hours ago, humbug said:

I personally think you need to either stick with the rougher, tougher, more robust fish that can both give and accept a hammering, or choose a selection of the gentler, more placid fish.  Unfortunately you have a mix of both. 

 

 Geez, i really hope they all get on ok when they all hit 7 inch size. There good mates at the moment, small nip small chase here and there.

Really appreciate your thoughts and knowledge in this area !!!!! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My tank size to be precise is 5 foot 6 inches long x 24 inch wide x 26 inch high, got it custom made years ago.

I personally picked out these fish only because i followed a lot of people with there African hap/peacock tanks  on utube. seemed to work  out really well for them...........i really hope it does with me also.

And at adult size 7 inch plus they look so so Nice!!

As they grow larger might take a couple out, to give them more breathing room i think, or swap afew out that will cause trouble in the future, hope not but time will tell.  18 fish so far with 2 clown loaches and 1 4 inch gold spotted pleco.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Odd also how views vary, posted this on a american African cihlid site 2 weeks ago.

1-sp35 (med) ------------------friendly Haplochromis sp. 35 (tomato)I would not mix Victorians
2-Electric yellow (med)---friendly Labidochromis caeruleus ok
3-venusis (small)-------------friendly Nimbochromis venustustoo big
4-Red empress (small)----friendly Protomelas taeniolatusok
5-Red ruiben <German line, has more red>(small)-------friendy will see who grows to be more nicer Aulonocara stuartgrantiok
6-Red ruiben (small)-------<more orange than red>friendly will see who grows to be more nicer Aulonocara stuartgranti5 and 6 are look alikes, choose one
7-Sulfar crest (med,large)---friendly Otopharynx lithobates
8-Electric blue (small)--------friendly Sciaenochromis fryeri choose otopharynx or fryeri
9-white knight (small)-------A touch nippish to all my fish,never chases, just goes for a nip if they cross his path. (will get rid rid of him) Sciaenochromis fryerimaybe ok if you choose otopharynx
10-Benga peacock ( med ).....friendly to all bar my taiwan reef and Blue neon, chasses them when there close to him. Aulonocara baenschi
11-Jacobfreibergi (med)-------Friendly Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
12-Redfin Kadanga Borleyi (med,large)----friendly Copadichromis borleyichoose this OR empress
13-Orange peacock (small)-----friendly to all but my marble peacock, gives a small chase Aulonocara stuartgranti hybrid it seems.orange is like red...choose rubescens or this
14-Tetrastigma (med)-------------friendly Otopharynx tetrastigmachoose one otopharynx
15-Similis (med,large)-----------friendly Haplochromis Similis Type – Lethrinops Lethrinuslethinops will not color up
16-Redflame Tail (small)--------friendly Aulonocara stuartgranti "Ngara Flametail"ok
17-Taiwan reef (med,large)----friendly (would love to keep this guy as long as it doesn't get worse with my Benga chasing him) Protomelas sp. "Steveni Taiwan" ok. mine was too aggressive for tetrastigma and ngara though
18-Blue Neon (med)----------------freindly (potential to return this guy not much colour at all) won't color upAulonocara stuartgranti (Chiwindi)
18-Red shoulder (small,med)---friendly, gives my Red ruiben and jaobfrei a little chase. Aulonocara hansbaenschi ok
19-Marble Peacock (small,med)---friendly to all bar about 4 fish, he gives then a small chase. (not sure yet might keep might sell) Hybrid.ok

 

Oh well,  so far so good, no trouble at the moment.

I will just go off what i see, if there all well, they all stay.    eg: Ob marble peacock caused trouble he went also Blue neon went cause his colour was very poor, no one really picked on him. White Knight went also, he loved to try bite any fish that crossed his path. have a smaller white night 2inch, he behaves. i will keep a eye on him and all the rest.....

just hope they don't all go then left with none :) 
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 more stocking advice was given to me..........

OB Peacock 
Nimbochromis livingstonii 
Aulonocara jacobfreibergi (Undu Reef) 
Copadichromis trewavasae (Mloto) 
Aulonocara koningsi (Blue Regal) 
Aulocara jacobfreibergi"Eureka" orange
Sciaenochromis fryeri (Electric Blue)
Aulonocara sp. Strawberry
Aulonocara sp. Orange
Haplochromis Nyerei
Protomelas taeniolatus (Red Empress)
Protomelas spilonatus (sulfur head)
Protomelas sp. ( Taiwan Reef) 
Copadichromis sp. tanzania yellow fins
Aulonocara sp. (Dragon Blood)
Sunshine Peacock
Orange peacock
Nimbochromis venustus
Blue neon stuartgranti 
Aulonocara jacobfreibergi"Eureka" Double red
Dragon blood albinos
Placidochromis milomo (big lips)
Aulonocara Maylandi Apache
Aulonocara stuartgranti (Red Shoulder) Habenschi
Copadichromis borleyi (Kadango) Red fin

another was below................................................................ 

 

Aulonocara jacobfreibergi "Eureka"
Aulonocara stuartgranti (Chiwindi) 'Blue Neon'
Aulonocara steveni "Usisya-Flavescent"
Aulonocara maulana "Bi-Color 500"
Aulonocara maylandi "Sulphurhead"
Aulonocara 'German Red' 
Aulonocara baenschi "Sunshine"
Aulonocara 'Dragon's Blood'
Aulonocara  "blueberry"
Aulonocara jacobfreibergi "Undu Reef" Lemon Jake
Aulonacara  "Lwanda"

Copadichromis mloto "Fireline"
Copadichromis quadrimaculatus nkanda
Protomelas virgatus Pombo "Yellow Chin"
Nimbochromis Fuscotaeniatus "Fusco"
Fossorochromis rostratus
Lichnochromis acuticeps  "Malawi gar"
Protomelas taeniolatus "Red Empress"
Naevochromis chrysogaster 
Copadichromis ovatus
Buccochromis Nototaenia
Protomelas steveni ''Taiwan Reef'"
Aristochromis christyi
Protomelas Insignis 
Protomelas Steveni "Imperial Tiger"
Stigmatochromis Modestus red
Venustus F1 male
 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 months later...

Hi Roos, I just tuned into this thread. I also have an african peacock tank woth aulonocara, placidochromis and protomelas varieties.

Theres some quite unique fish on your list. May I ask where you get your fish from? In particular this variant Protomelas virgatus Pombo "Yellow Chin" ??

cheers 

Dan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Dadaman80, 

a few of  my fish came from a African cichlid breeder here in Melbourne, the rest came from Melbourne tropical fish imports, Hifin Aqaurium , and Barnseys Cichids. All in Victoria.

Selection and range come and go, if your there at the right time the harder to find africans can be found.

 

My current stock is below, all getting along fine, a few little chases here and there but all good.

sp35 

Electric yellow 
Polystigma
Red empress 
Red ruiben 
Sulfar crest Lithobite
Electric blue, Sciaenochromis fryeri  
white knight, Sciaenochromis fryeri  
Benga peacock 
Jacobfreibergi  Eureka 
Tetrastigma
Protomelas similis
Gissel
Deepwater hap 
venustus
Copadichromis Azurus
strawberry peacock
redfin borleyi

Had all these for several months now, ranging in size from 4 inch, 5 inch and 6inch. none fighting....none do serious single out chasing or harassing.

I am very happy, this worked for  me, might not work for others. Most i raised from 3inch size or tad smaller. All male tank.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, Roos said:

Hi Dadaman80, 

a few of  my fish came from a African cichlid breeder here in Melbourne, the rest came from Melbourne tropical fish imports, Hifin Aqaurium , and Barnseys Cichids. All in Victoria.

Selection and range come and go, if your there at the right time the harder to find africans can be found.

 

My current stock is below, all getting along fine, a few little chases here and there but all good.

sp35 

Electric yellow 
Polystigma
Red empress 
Red ruiben 
Sulfar crest Lithobite
Electric blue, Sciaenochromis fryeri  
white knight, Sciaenochromis fryeri  
Benga peacock 
Jacobfreibergi  Eureka 
Tetrastigma
Protomelas similis
Gissel
Deepwater hap 
venustus
Copadichromis Azurus
strawberry peacock
redfin borleyi

Had all these for several months now, ranging in size from 4 inch, 5 inch and 6inch. none fighting....none do serious single out chasing or harassing.

I am very happy, this worked for  me, might not work for others. Most i raised from 3inch size or tad smaller. All male tank.

Absolutely sensational mate, thanks for the reply. Ive got fish from Barnseys as well, top quality... can be a delicate balance at times... your fish have some good size about them... 

My current stock list below in my 8ft

 


-aulonocara chirwa island F2
-aulonocara brevinidus german import
-aulonocara usisya F1
-aulonocara usisya german import
-aulonocara usisya german import
-aulonocara stuartgranti chilumba german imp
-aulonocara mamelela
-aulonocara mamelela
-aulonocara maylandi
-aulonocara rostratum
-aulonocara bicolor 500
-aulonocara red shoulder
-aulonocara lwanda f2
-aulonocara lwanda f1
-aulonocara lwanda
-aulonocara steveni blue neon F1
-aulonocara steveni blue neon
-aulonocara steveni blue neon german
-aulonocara sanga bay F2
-aulonocara stuartgranti Mdoka RARE
-aulonocara stuartgranti hongi
-aulonocara stuartgranti hongi
-aulonocara stuartgranti hongi
-aulonocara stuartgranti ngara flametail f1
-aulonocara stuartgranti ngara flametail f1
-aulonocara stuartgranti ngara flametail
-aulonocara maleri maleri import line
-aulonocara sp Rubin Red (roter Kaiser)
-aulonocara rubin red
-aulonocara rubin red
-aulonocara baenchi sunshine
-aulonocara baenchi sunshine
-aulonocara stuartgranti mbenji koningsi blue regal
-aulonocara fire fish
-aulonocara eureaka jacobfreigi
-aulonocara jacobfreigi cape macler
-aulonocara eureaka red albino german import
-protomelas taeniolatus red empress
-protomelas stveni taiwan reef
-protomelas chimoto yellow ngkuyo reef
-protomelas spilonatus mara rocks
-protomelas steveni eastern namitumbu
-protomelas fenestratus fire blue lupingu very rare
-placidochromis blue otter
-placidochromis deep water electra fort maguire
-placidochromis sp phenochilus gissel
-placidochromis sp phenochilus gissel
-placidochromis sp phenochilus gissel
-placidochromis phenochilus tanzania
-placidochromis phenochilus mdoka white lip
-placidochromis milomo VC10
-placidochromis jalo reef
-placidochromis mbamba bay
-sciaenochromis white knight
-sciaenochromis fryeri "electric blue"
-copadichromis borleyi (red fin kadango)
-copadichromis free water super rare
-copadichromis kawanga
-copidachromis chrysonotus
-otopharynx tetrastigma
-otopharynx tetrastigma
-otopharynx sp spot sani
-tramitichromis intermedius kambiri
-tramitichromis lituris yellow sun
-tramitichromis lituris yellow sun
-lethrinops "Red Cap"
-lethrinops sp. "red cap Itungi"
-lethrinops sp. "red cap itungi"
-lethrinops lethrinus
-lethrinops lethrinus
-lethrinops marginatus red flush
-lethrinops marginatus red flush
-lethrinops marginatus red flush
-naevochromis chrysogaster
-cheilochromis euchilus


6 x synodontis multipunctatus
2 x gold spot plecos
2 x sailfin plecos







 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Stunning fish selection!!!!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely awesome!!!

On my wish list is 1 Ngara Flaimtail and 1 Lwanda......will get them one day soon i hope.

Out of curiosity what lighting you use in your aquarium Dandaman80?

I got cheap led lights, i think i can do alot better......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Roos said:

Stunning fish selection!!!!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely awesome!!!

On my wish list is 1 Ngara Flaimtail and 1 Lwanda......will get them one day soon i hope.

Out of curiosity what lighting you use in your aquarium Dandaman80?

I got cheap led lights, i think i can do alot better......

Aulonocara Ngara Flametail F1

20181011_105748.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...