Flavescent Peacock

Geographic Origin and Habitat: Aulonocara stuartgranti is endemic to Lake Malawi in eastern Africa. FishBase records it along the coast between Ngara and Chizi Point and classifies it as freshwater and benthopelagic. Specialist locality accounts place it in intermediate sand-and-rock habitat, but locality labels in trade should not be treated as a substitute for a confirmed collecting site or for the identity of every colour form.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Meyer and Riehl described A. stuartgranti in 1985 from Mpanga Rocks near Chilumba; Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes treats the name as valid in Cichlidae, Pseudocrenilabrinae, order Cichliformes. FishBase reports 11.8 cm TL for a male or unsexed specimen. Widened cranial lateral-line canals and visible head pores are a documented Aulonocara feature linked to near-substrate prey detection.

Social Behaviour: No single social pattern applies to every individual. FishBase reports that some members of a population hide permanently in caves while others school over sand. Social pressure in captivity therefore cannot be inferred from a peaceful-versus-aggressive label alone. Space, sight lines, sex composition, feeding access and observed chasing determine whether a particular arrangement remains workable and whether separation is needed.

Colouration and Sexual Dimorphism: Geographic and trade forms are common in the aquarium literature, so blue, yellow, orange or red patterning should not be used alone to assign a locality or verify lineage. FishBase's size record is male or unsexed, not a sex comparison. The sources reviewed here do not supply a diagnostic colour rule for sexing every individual; assess sex and provenance through reliable source information, not colour names alone.

Aquarium Setup: The current record sets a 180 L minimum, while one specialist registry gives 160 L and 110 cm as a lower reference. Neither figure guarantees that every social arrangement will work. Provide open, fine sandy floor for benthic foraging, structured cover and broken sight lines, while keeping enough uninterrupted space to move away from conflict. Secure rockwork independently of sand-sifting activity and retain a practical separation plan.

Diet and Feeding: FishBase describes feeding on sand-dwelling invertebrates, and experiments document capture of live invertebrate prey close to sandy substrate. Use varied foods of suitable size that reflect this evidence, then adjust amount and frequency from appetite, body condition and water testing. Do not make floating flakes, one pellet formula, live prey, a fasting day or a timed feeding rule into a taxon-wide requirement. Uneaten food and persistent feeding change need investigation.

Water Quality: FishBase gives a tropical 22–26 °C entry, while the existing catalog range is 24–28 °C; the reviewed evidence does not resolve that context difference into one universal target. Stable, tested freshwater conditions, oxygenation and control of nitrogen waste are more defensible than abrupt adjustment to a single number. Use circulation that keeps the system clean without eliminating all quieter sand areas, and acclimate changes gradually rather than chasing a profile label.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Do not use a general ‘peaceful Peacock’ label as a tankmate guarantee. FishBase documents both cave-hiding individuals and schools over sand, while maternal mouthbrooding can make the female's condition and social pressure important. Select companions only where size, feeding access, floor area, cover and escape routes remain adequate. Continual chasing, injury, exclusion or missed feeding is evidence that the arrangement must be changed or fish separated.

Aquarium Breeding: This is a maternal mouthbrooder, so breeding is a welfare issue rather than a production routine. A carrying female may reduce feeding and be vulnerable to social pressure, but holding duration, brood size and success cannot be promised from this card. Avoid unnecessary disturbance, maintain stable measured water and prepare to separate fish if observed harassment creates a welfare risk. Do not strip, medicate or isolate by default without a case-specific reason and competent advice.

Risks and Disease: No taxon-specific disease or treatment protocol was established by the sources reviewed. Prevention includes quarantine of new stock where practical, stable measured water, hygiene and assessment of abnormal appetite, respiration, posture, lesions or social withdrawal. These signs do not diagnose a cause. Isolate only when it reduces risk and can be done safely; treatment should follow identification of the problem and qualified aquatic-health advice, never a universal medication regimen.