Peacock Compatibility - Complete Newbie

[tobywoof]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to fish keeping and would really appreciate some advice regarding peacock cichlids. I was initially drawn to the Mbuna but I'm put off by the fact they are more aggressive.

Can all peacocks live peacefully together? For example, can all fish shown here: http/www.tonysafricancichlids.co.uk/category/aulonocara - be mixed?

Also, I think the frontosa are amazing but could I add one of these with the fish in the link above? I know they grow big. The tank I am buying is 330 litres and can be seen here: http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquarium-1/fish-tanks/cabinet-aquarium-fish-tanks/cabinet-fish-tank-aquarium-330-litres-120cm-four-colours.html

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. I've done a lot of reading but am finding it hard to wrap my head around, what with all the different groups and the crazy names.

Thanks
Phill

 

[njstockley]

I had a slightly smaller tank set up with all males. http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/383801-all-male-peacock-tank/page__p__3280673__hl__njstockley__fromsearch__1#entry3280673
Female peacocks are very drab so the all male route might be of interest for you. Also means no cross breeding, and Tony sells single males too. If you want some breeding behaviour you could think about a group of yellow labs?
I think Frontosa need bigger than 330 and are Tangs so don't do all that well with Malawis - that's from reading - I've never kept them.

 

[deftuch]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to fish keeping and would really appreciate some advice regarding peacock cichlids. I was initially drawn to the Mbuna but I'm put off by the fact they are more aggressive.

Can all peacocks live peacefully together? For example, can all fish shown here: http/www.tonysafricancichlids.co.uk/category/aulonocara - be mixed?

Also, I think the frontosa are amazing but could I add one of these with the fish in the link above? I know they grow big. The tank I am buying is 330 litres and can be seen here: http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquarium-1/fish-tanks/cabinet-aquarium-fish-tanks/cabinet-fish-tank-aquarium-330-litres-120cm-four-colours.html

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. I've done a lot of reading but am finding it hard to wrap my head around, what with all the different groups and the crazy names.

Thanks
Phill

yellow labs are relatively peacefull btw if you provide the right territory and set up fopr the fish your keeping it will be happy and shoudnt be that aggresive

 

[tobywoof]

Hi

Thanks for posting that link. I've read through it and I think I will go down the all male route. So the trick is to just get 1 male of each type and make sure colourings are different? I like the idea of adding 3 at a time to reduce stress on them. Plus, no females = no breeding, so my thinking is that this would make for an easier tank? This will be my first tank and I imagine managing breeding fish is quite hard?

Gutted about the Frontosa. I saw one in a fish shop recently and thought he was brilliant. All the reviews say that the 330 litre tank is massive, but then again, the front would grow big too, so I hear what you are saying.

I'm not getting the tank till the 24th and then it has to cycle. Do you know roughly when I could start adding fish if I start cycling on the 24th? I've read a little about a 'fishless cycle' where you add ammonia to the tank. Have you heard of this before? These fish are pricey and I won't cope well with fatalities, the guilt would eat at me ha!!

Thanks again
Phill

 

[deftuch]

Hi

Thanks for posting that link. I've read through it and I think I will go down the all male route. So the trick is to just get 1 male of each type and make sure colourings are different? I like the idea of adding 3 at a time to reduce stress on them. Plus, no females = no breeding, so my thinking is that this would make for an easier tank? This will be my first tank and I imagine managing breeding fish is quite hard?

Gutted about the Frontosa. I saw one in a fish shop recently and thought he was brilliant. All the reviews say that the 330 litre tank is massive, but then again, the front would grow big too, so I hear what you are saying.

I'm not getting the tank till the 24th and then it has to cycle. Do you know roughly when I could start adding fish if I start cycling on the 24th? I've read a little about a 'fishless cycle' where you add ammonia to the tank. Have you heard of this before? These fish are pricey and I won't cope well with fatalities, the guilt would eat at me ha!!

Thanks again
Phill

omg dude. dont talk about cycling, youl start a war! i woudnt do it with those type of cichlids if i were you. fishless cycle is a good idea. id love to explain it but frankly i already have a million times on here before so id just suggest finding the cycling your tank thread on this forum and have a read

 

[njstockley]

Hi

Thanks for posting that link. I've read through it and I think I will go down the all male route. So the trick is to just get 1 male of each type and make sure colourings are different? I like the idea of adding 3 at a time to reduce stress on them. Plus, no females = no breeding, so my thinking is that this would make for an easier tank? This will be my first tank and I imagine managing breeding fish is quite hard?

Peacocks will breed like crazy in most conditions from what I've experienced. But to have all males it can be a bit of a balancing act - most will be fine together, but there are some exceptions that might have a go at everything in there. Best to have a smaller tank setup just in case there is agression. Also helps to ad in big groups so that there arent territories established etc.

I'm not getting the tank till the 24th and then it has to cycle. Do you know roughly when I could start adding fish if I start cycling on the 24th? I've read a little about a 'fishless cycle' where you add ammonia to the tank. Have you heard of this before? These fish are pricey and I won't cope well with fatalities, the guilt would eat at me ha!!

Thanks again
Phill

Fish-in cycling in a tank this size would be a nightmare, and like you have read isn't best for the fish - and larger male peacocks can cost upwards of £20 per fish so not a cheap mistake to make. There are tons of articles on fishless cycling, but the process can take some time. Your best bet is to find someone local who can give you some established media. Put this in your filter and it will be ready in no time!

 

[tobywoof]

Hi again,

Can anyone clear this up for me? I understand that it's best not to have two peacocks of similar colouring. But I was just looking at this website: http/www.tonysafricancichlids.co.uk/category/aulonocara

And they sell them in fours (2 male, 2 female) - but wouldn't that mean you would have similar peacocks in one tank? Am I missing something? I'd like to order single males from this site, but the MALES ONLY section is small. Does anyone know of any reputable sites where I can order male only peacock cichlids?

Thanks

Phill

 

[njstockley]

In larger tanks it's doable. But only one of the males will colour up properly. Best to stick to the one of each rule. As for males only, it can be difficult to find them. Your best bet is Aquarist Classifieds, eBay, Gumtree, etc.

 

[tobywoof]

Can I ask what classes as a larger tank for this type of fish? I'm going to be getting a 4ft 330 litre tank. I don't want to have a mixed tank as dealing with fry and holding females and increased aggression - all sounds like a big headache to me. And then how would you go about finding homes for all the new fish that keep materialising?