10 Most Popular Peacock Cichlids – Number 5 Will Surprise You
Peacock cichlids belong to the Aulonocara genus from Lake Malawi. The hobby also includes colorful line-bred varieties and hybrids. Give them open swimming space, a sandy bottom, and rockwork that breaks up sightlines.
Male peacocks develop a wide range of colors as they mature. Watching young fish grow into that color is part of the fun.
Here are ten popular peacock cichlids to consider for your aquarium:
1. OB Peacock
OB Peacock is a hybrid variety known for its orange-blotch pattern. Blue, red, orange, yellow, white, and black can all appear in the mix. The pattern varies from fish to fish, which is a big part of their appeal.
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2. Blue Peacock
Blue Peacock is a classic look for a Malawi display: metallic blue in mature males, with females generally showing more subdued silver-gray tones.
3. German Red Peacock
German Red Peacock is a line-bred variety selected for its color. Males develop a blue face with warm red-orange across the body, while females have more subdued coloring. Adults typically reach about 5 to 8 inches.
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4. Sunshine Peacock
Sunshine Peacock combines yellow body color with blue on the face and fins of mature males. Females keep more subdued coloring. The yellow makes a lively contrast alongside blue peacocks.
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5. Dragon Blood Peacock
Dragon Blood Peacock sits at number five on this list, though its many color variants make it a favorite with hobbyists. It is a hybrid variety, with males developing shades of red, pink, and orange. Females are generally more subdued. Adults typically reach about 5 to 8 inches.
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6. Ruby Red Peacock cichlids
Ruby Red Peacock cichlids are 6 inches long at maturity. This species is line-bred for its vibrant colors, brought to the US for aquarists and enthusiasts. These popular fish are distinguished by their blue faces and red bodies.
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7. Sulfur Head Peacock cichlids
Sulfur Head Peacock cichlids are native to Lake Malawi and these fish are dark, black with a bold yellow streak from tail to snout. Males of this species grow to be around 5 inches, while females are a bit smaller.
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8. Blue Neon Peacock cichlids
Blue Neon Peacock cichlids, from Lake Malawi, are bright yellow and the males usually have blue faces and fins. Males of the species grow to be approximately 6 inches long, and females are slightly smaller at adulthood.
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9. Blue Regal Peacock
Blue Regal Peacock is also native to African waters and, at adulthood, these fish are around 6 inches long. Males are primarily a beautiful shade of blue with yellow markings, while the females are typically a silvery gray.
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10. Eureka Red Peacock
Eureka Red Peacock is a colorful Aulonocara jacobfreibergi variety. Males combine bright blue with red-orange color, while females are more subdued. It is a striking choice for a peacock display.
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For a peacock display built around male color, we recommend an all-male group when breeding is not your goal. Choose fish with room to grow, and watch their individual personalities as the group settles in. Read our advice on choosing and mixing cichlids.