Fun Flavescent Peacock Facts For Kids

Peacock cichlids, which also go by the common name Grant's peacock, are members of a tiny group of fish from Lake Malawi, Africa. This species of cichlids belong to the Aulonocara genus is comprised of 28 different species with numerous subspecies.

Due to their lavish coloration, they are exceptionally famous with aquarists. The term 'peacock' is in their name owing to their vibrant blue, yellow and red colors. The flavescent peacock (Aulonocara stuartgranti) is a native of Lake Malawi of Africa and is mainly found in areas surrounding it.

This size of this species of cichlid ranges from medium to very large in size and can grow anywhere between 4.5-7.5 in (11-19 cm) long. The 'flavescent' in this fish's common name implies a bright yellow color, although these cichlids have been observed to embody a wide spectrum of colors.

Both the size and the color of this extremely appealing species of fish is entirely dependant upon its environment.

Besides their lovely appearance, the flavescent peacock is not very difficult to maintain or take care of. They make an alluring pet for both amateurs and expert cichlid aquarists as long as the tank size is sufficiently large and the proper water conditions are maintained.

Here, we have many amazing and interesting facts about flavescent peacock fish that you will enjoy. Let's take a look at these facts and information, and if you enjoy these then, do read our peacock cichlid facts and ram cichlid facts too.

Flavescent Peacock Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a flavescent peacock?

A flavescent peacock is a species of haplochromine cichlid that was described by Meyer-Riehl in the year 1985.

They are endemic to Lake Malawi in Africa and are therefore found in areas surrounding it, mainly the southeastern coast from the Ruhuhu River to Ntekete, the northwestern coast between Kande and Ngara as well areas in the southern end of the African continent.

These peacock cichlids are alternatively referred to as Grant's peacocks or Ngara Aulonocara.

What class of animal does a flavescent peacock belong to?

The flavescent peacock cichlid is a species of haplochromine cichlid that belongs to the class of Actinopterygii, just like all the other species of fish. It is a type of tank fish that has a yellow body and a blue or red face.

How many flavescent peacocks are there in the world?

The exact number of the total population of this species of cichlids is yet not available, but their status is deemed as Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List, which implies that they are present in large numbers in the ecosystem and there is no immediate danger to their species.

Where does a flavescent peacock live?

Flavescent peacocks prefer to live in tropical deep-sea water lakes or in freshwater lakes in small schools of similar cichlids. The male usually resides in a small dwelling in caverns among rocks dissipated over the sand, while the females occur in small groups.

They can also be kept captive in an aquarium or fish tank, but the water needs to be hard alkaline in nature to match their natural needs.

What is a flavescent peacock's habitat?

Flavescent peacock cichlid is a native of Lake Malawi in Africa. They were described by Meyer-Riehl in the year 1985 and are found in areas surrounding the lake, mainly the southeastern coast from the Ruhuhu River to Ntekete, the northwestern coast between Kande and Ngara, as well areas in the southern end of the African continent.

Who do flavescent peacocks live with?

The Flavescent peacock is a semi-aggressive fish, and when in the wild, they can be found traveling in small schools of other similar fishes.

When kept in an aquarium or a fish tank, it is recommended they are kept alone in a 55 gal (208 l) tank or as a group of one male and two females in a 100 gal (378 l) tank.

They cannot all live together and would have to be broken down into smaller groups.

How long does a flavescent peacock live?

The average life span of this species of fish is six-seven years, but when kept in an aquarium or a fish tank with proper care and under optimum conditions, their lifespan can be increased even more.

How do they reproduce?

Breeding of the flavescent peacocks has been observed in captivity only. Keeping two female flavescent peacock cichlid with one male has proved to be the best breeding practice.

The male shows an exceptional color pattern of blue or yellow to draw in the females. All adult cichlids help raise and take care of the juvenile flavescent peacock cichlid.

A cichlid couple guarding their infants can be extremely aggressive to deal with, and this aggression has been seen to be directed towards tank mates. Therefore, a 100 gal (378 l) tank is suggested for larger groups of this fish.

The spawning of these fishes is extremely difficult to witness since it is done furtively in a cavern. They are mouthbrooders, which means that the females lay the eggs and afterward carry them in their mouths.

She carries these eggs in her mouth until the baby fish are mature enough to be independent of their mother. With most peacock species, this process takes around 21 days.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of this species of cichlids is deemed of Least Concern as per the IUCN Red List.

Flavescent Peacock Fun Facts

What do flavescent peacocks look like?

*Please note that this image is of an Pink Convict Cichlid. If you have an image of a flavescent peacock cichlid, please let us know at hello@kidadl.com

Flavescent peacock fish are present with a wide scope of shadings from blue to yellow and depend entirely on the region where they live and on their size. All the species of the flavescent peacock, from usisya flavescent peacock to black dorsal flavescent peacock to blue dorsal flavescent peacock, possess similar body structures and anatomy.

Females are a lot shorter than the male fishes, with dull vertical bars that are on the base of their body, along with the shading of brownish-beige color. This species is, for the most part, orange-yellow in color, with little vertical electric blue bits running all throughout their body.

Their top fin is blue with white edging. Close to the rear of the dorsal fin is a bright yellow spot that appears to 'match' the tail blade, which is also yellow with sporadic blue level lines.

The face is blue, like the lower fin. However, the lower fin has a couple of orange-yellow spots on it.

How cute are they?

With their vibrant colored bodies and beautiful rich features, this species is extremely cute in appearance. The males present with much more vivid colors and are much longer than the females, which some would say makes the males more attractive and cute.

How do they communicate?

There is not much information available about the communication process of these fishes, but they are believed to use vibration patterns to communicate with others.

How big is a flavescent peacock?

The flavescent peacock size can range anywhere between 4.5-7.5 in (11-19 cm), which is roughly two times less than the size of an average pomfret fish, whose size falls in the range of 10-11 in (27-28 cm).

How fast can a flavescent peacock swim?

The exact speed of these fishes has yet not been calculated by scientists. However, what is known is that these fish can swim very fast, and their speed also depends on the water currents and the natural movement in the water.

How much does a flavescent peacock weigh?

The weight of this species of fish is around 0.22 lb (0.1 kg). The weight can vary based on their age and other factors.

What are the male and female names of the species?

There is no specific name given to the male and female fish of this species.

What would you call a baby flavescent peacock?

A baby fish of this species does not bear any special name.

What do they eat?

Although these cichlids are omnivores, their diet generally consists of meaty foods. Their diet consists of an assortment of live food sources in the wild, particularly invertebrates and some plants. When in the aquarium, they usually prefer to indulge in a diet of pellets, bloodworms, and salt-water shrimps.

Are they aggressive?

Yes, the male fish can be aggressive and territorial in nature, and therefore it is not recommended they be kept with other similar or smaller fishes.

Would they make a good pet?

Yes, with proper care, they make an excellent aquarium pet. You would have to take care keeping in mind the special requirements if any.

Did you know...

Male cichlids are very territorial in nature. They take three years to fully grow.

This species was first described by Meyer-Riehl in the year 1985.

Some other cool cichlids include the convict cichlid and the dwarf pike cichlid.

What fish can live with peacock cichlids?

They are peaceful towards those of the same species as long as two males are not put together. A single big tank can house more than one male fish as it will facilitate the formation of different territories.

Flavescent peacock cichlids are comparatively more peaceful than other species of cichlids. This fish species can be kept with similar-size utakas and, to prevent cross-breeding, avoid putting female utakas with them as they are similar in appearance to the aulonacaras. Flavescent peacocks are additionally incompatible with mbunas.

Having your own flavescent peacock

If you want to ensure good care of this fish species, the following points should be kept in mind. For a single fish, a 55 gal (208 l) flavescent peacock tank is good, whereas a 100 gal (378 l) tank is recommended when keeping multiple fishes.

These fish require salty or fresh water and require fast-flowing water and an exceptionally effective filtration system.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other fish from our catshark facts and emperor angelfish facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable flavescent peacock coloring pages.