African peacock cichlids are among the most colorful freshwater fish in the world, males display electric blue, yellow, orange, and red in combinations that rival marine reef fish. They come from Lake Malawi, an ancient rift lake with hard, alkaline water. ⚠️ Lake Malawi conditions are essential: pH 7.6–8.8, high hardness, and regular water changes to keep nitrates low. Multiple male peacocks will fight; keep one male per species or use a large enough tank (300L+) for multiple species with visual breaks. Mouthbrooders, females hold fertilised eggs in their mouth for 3–4 weeks.
| Max Size | 13 cm |
| Temperature | 24–28°C |
| pH Range | 7.6–8.8 |
| Min Tank Size | 200L |
| Care Level | Intermediate |
| Origin | Lake Malawi, East Africa |
Keep with other similarly-sized Malawi cichlids (haps, mbuna variants). Avoid fish that require soft acidic water. Males fight, monitor carefully.
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