malawi

Aulonocara Calico

🐟 Aulonocara Calico — Species Overview

Scientific/Trade Name: Aulonocara sp. “Calico” (not a single wild species but typically a peacock cichlid hybrid/selected strain bred from Lake Malawi Aulonocara species)

Note: “Calico” refers mostly to the color pattern — a mix of bright patches/spots — and is often used for selectively bred Malawi peacocks rather than a strict wild-collected species name.

📏 Size

Adult males: typically about 10–13 cm (4–5 in), sometimes a bit larger up to around 15 cm in good conditions.

Females: tend to be smaller, often around 7–9 cm (2.8–3.5 in).

📍 Occurrence / Origin

Natural Inspiration: All Aulonocara peacocks are native to Lake Malawi in East Africa — known for its clear, hard, alkaline waters.

Calico variety: Most “Calico” fish sold in the aquarium trade are hybrids or selectively bred forms of Aulonocara species with enhanced color patterns for aquarists. They don’t represent a single wild population.

🍽️ Diet (What Food They Prefer)

In the wild:

Aulonocara species forage by sensing and sifting small benthic invertebrates and tiny organisms from sandy or sandy-rock interfaces.

In aquariums, Calico peacocks thrive on a varied diet:

High-quality cichlid pellets or granules designed for Malawi cichlids.

Flake foods that include spirulina or balanced protein.

Frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, etc., provide good protein and help bring out vibrant colors.

Some aquarists also offer occasional veggie additions like spirulina or plant-enhanced foods.

Note: Malawi cichlids generally do better with protein-rich diets but benefit from balanced food rather than excessive feeding of one type.

🏞️ Typical Behavior & Habitat in Aquarium

Temperament: Generally peaceful for cichlids but males can be territorial, especially during breeding.

Tank setup: They prefer a setup with open swimming space and plenty of rocks or hides to establish territories.

Water conditions: Hard, alkaline water (pH ~7.5–8.5) and temperature ~24–28 °C (75–82 °F) are ideal.

🧠 Quick Summary
Feature Details
Common Name Aulonocara Calico (Calico Peacock)
Size Males ≈ 10–13 cm (4–5 in); Females ≈ 7–9 cm (3–3.5 in)
Origin Selectively bred from Lake Malawi peacock cichlids
Diet Omnivorous — pellets, flakes, live/frozen foods like brine/mysis shrimp & daphnia
Behavior Peaceful but territorial males; best in groups/harem setups
Aquarium Needs Hard alkaline water; plenty of rocks and space