Eureka red peacock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eureka red peacock |
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The Eureka Red Peacock is a beautiful type of fish. Its scientific name is Aulonocara jacobfreibergi. This fish is part of the Cichlidae family. People also call it Freiberg's peacock or the fairy cichlid.
These fish come in different colors. You can find them in bright red or yellow. They usually grow to be about 15 centimeters long. That's about the length of a typical pencil!
The Eureka Red Peacock lives only in Malawi. You can find them in Lake Malawi. They have been seen in places like Nkudzi, Monkey Bay, Nankumba, Domwe Islands, and Otter Point.
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About the Eureka Red Peacock
The Eureka Red Peacock is a very popular fish. It is known for its amazing colors. It has bright orange and red colors. These colors stand out against bright blue marks. You can see blue on its face, tail, and fins.
These fish are some of the most wanted cichlids. They come from Lake Malawi in Africa. Fish breeders have also made new color forms. These are even more colorful than the wild ones.
Peacock Cichlids Group
The Eureka Red Peacock is one of many types of Aulonocara jacobfreibergi. They belong to a small group of fish. This group is called the Peacock Cichlids. Fish keepers really like them.
Peacock Cichlids are part of the Aulonocara genus. This group has about 23 different kinds of fish. But there are many more subspecies. Their brilliant blues, reds, and yellows give them their name. They truly look like peacocks!
The Aulonocara fish are part of the Haplochromis group. This group also includes Utaka Cichlids. These fish are different from Mbuna cichlids. Mbunas are "rock-dwelling" fish. Haplochromis fish are generally larger. They prefer sandy areas and open waters. They are also more peaceful than the active Mbunas. So, they should not be kept with aggressive Mbunas.
Where They Live
The Eureka Red Peacock comes from Lake Malawi. They live in specific areas of the lake. These areas are where rocky shorelines meet sandy lake bottoms.
What They Eat
Peacock Cichlids find their food in the sand. They sift through the sand. They push the sand through their gills. This helps them find small bugs and worms. These tiny creatures hide in the sand.
They are also good hunters. They will actively chase small prey. They look for anything moving on the lake bottom. They also watch for movement in the sand.
How They Live Together
Most African Cichlids live in small groups. A Peacock Cichlid group usually has one male. It also has a few females. They claim a small area as their home. This area gives them enough food.
Once they have their territory, they protect it. They will defend it from other fish. Especially from fish that are similar in size or pattern. They see these fish as competition for food.
Keeping Them in an Aquarium
Eureka Red Peacocks are a good choice for aquariums. They usually get along well with most other Lake Malawi fish. They are peaceful enough to live with similar fish. But the aquarium needs to be big enough. It must have space for each group of fish to have its own territory.
This is a medium-sized Peacock Cichlid. It only grows to about 15 cm long. Its bright colors and reasonable size make it a good fit. It will quickly get used to living in an aquarium.
Aquarium Care Tips
- Provide open space for swimming.
- Include many caves. These are good for hiding, sleeping, or breeding.
- Change the water often. This helps keep the fish healthy.
Quick Facts for Aquarists
- Common Name: Eureka Red Peacock
- Origin: Lake Malawi, Africa
- Diet: Omnivore (eats both plants and animals)
- pH Range: Alkaline 7.5 – 8.5
- Water Type: Hard water
- Temperature: Tropical 24°C (about 75°F)
- Breed Type: Mouth brooder (the mother holds the eggs and young in her mouth)
- Size: Grows to about 15 cm (6 inches)
See also
- List of freshwater aquarium fish species
