Aulonocara jacobfreibergi "Mamelela"

Origin and locale/variety: Undu Reef, Tanzania, Lake Malawi, East Africa

Size: Adults are usually 3.0 to 5.0 inches in aquarium environment.

Sex differences: Males obtain a beautiful bright metallic purple/blue coloration with a lemon yellow border that surrounds the entire fish, especially in the unpaired fins. Females are silver/gray.

Aquarium behavior: Aulonocara jacobfreibergi "Mamelela" is a very undemanding cichlid. In the aquarium, they thrive in any almost any community set-up. This fish almost always, like most peacocks, hovers with all fins displayed. The fish accepts most any environment that has gravel/sand, rocks, and even live plants.

Aquarium diet: A. jacobfreibergi readily accept most foods: flakes, frozen, pellets, and live. A combination of flakes and frozen food is recommended.

You Need to Know: Not only do males develop their coloration and finnage over time, but coloration and finnage are especially variable among peacock males. In any given group that includes a number of specimens, there are likely to be a few extraordinary ("show") males, a larger number of above average specimens, and a larger number of average specimens. The average and above average groups can be encouraged to display better coloration by making them dominant within their aquarium and providing them with female companions. The aquarist should also be aware that immature peacocks are among the most drably colored of all aquarium fish.

Compatability: "Peacock" cichlids of the Aulonocara genus are among the most versatile of all the Rift Lake cichlids when it comes to compatability. Rarely is a peacock too aggressive for an African community setup. Rarely is a peacock not able to fend for itself when mixed with more aggressive species.

Observed spawning habits: Males will display for female's attention. A male will normally put on an elaborate show for the female whenever and wherever he feels like it. Courting rituals are spontaneous and exciting. A. jacobfreibergi is a maternal mouthbrooder.

Other information: This peacock has become one of the most poplular peacocks to date. The brilliant coloration and willingness to reproduce has surely contributed to this.

Trivia: It is important to replenish breeding stock with wild caught specimens of this fish to help ensure the purple/blue body coloration does not fade to dark gray.

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