Lake malawi butterfly cichlid - Aulonocara jacobfreibergi

Scientific name: Aulonocara jacobfreibergi

Common name: Lake malawi butterfly cichlid

Family: Cichlidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 14 - 17 cm (5.51 - 6.69 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 7 - 8.5

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 10 - 25°N (178.57 - 446.43ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 24 - 27 °C (75.2 - 80.6°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: Africa

Temperament to its own species: aggressive/territorial

Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive to smaller

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Food and feeding

Quality flake and cichlid pellets are readily accepted. Lake malawi butterfly cichlids will also relish a treat of adult brine shrimp, blood worms, and earth worms.

Origin

Africa; Aulonocara jacobfreibergi is endemic to Lake Malawi.

Sexing

Males will be more colorful, they will also possess extended dorsal and anal fins. The females will have a greyish brown body with rounded dorsal and anal fins.

Breeding

Provide hiding places in the tank for the females. They are mouth brooders and can be seen to be carrying when their mouth is enlarged and they refuse to eat. Incubation is normally 3-4 weeks and when the fry are released they can be fed on crushed flake.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Lake malawi butterfly cichlid is 5-8 years.

Short description

This species of Peacock is well known for being far more aggressive than the other species. Lake malawi butterfly cichlids will need a large tank as adults can grow to 9” in length. It is best to keep one male with a group of females.

Picture

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.