compatibility of peacocks for beginners

[knighto4]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to fish keeping and I'm hoping for some advice on peacock cichlids. The Mbuna initially caught my eye, but I've been put off by their aggressive nature.

Can you mix all peacocks together, or are there some that just won't get along? For example, the ones on this website - http/www.tonysafricancichlids.co.uk/category/aulonocara. Can you keep all these in the same tank?

I also think frontosas are incredible, but would it be possible to add one to the peacocks? I know they grow big, but my tank is 330 litres - http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquarium-1/f ... lours.html.

I've done a lot of reading, but I'm finding it hard to get my head around all the different groups and species. Any advice or thoughts would be really appreciated.

Thanks,
Phill

[daxelion]

I've kept an all-male peacock setup in a slightly smaller tank, which worked out well for me. You can check out the thread I started about it here: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/383 ... try3280673.

One advantage of going all-male is that you avoid cross-breeding, and Tony does sell individual males if you're interested in that route. Plus, female peacocks aren't exactly known for their vibrant colors, so it's worth considering. If you still want to see some breeding behavior, you could think about adding a group of yellow labs to your tank.

As for the frontosas, I've read that they require a bigger tank than 330 litres, and being Tangs, they might not mix well with Malawis. I haven't had personal experience with them, but it's something to keep in mind.

[knighto4]

Hi,

Thanks for the link, really helpful. I think I'll go with the all male route, seems like a good idea. So, just get one male of each type and make sure the colourings are different, that way they shouldn't fight too much. Adding 3 at a time makes sense, reduces stress on them.

I like the idea of no females, means no breeding and that sounds like an easier tank to manage, especially for a first-timer like me. I can imagine managing breeding fish is a challenge.

Gutted about the Frontosa, I saw one in a shop recently and thought it was amazing. I know the tank is big, but the Frontosa would grow big too, so I understand your point.

My tank arrives on the 24th, then it needs to cycle. Do you know roughly when I can start adding fish? I've read about a 'fishless cycle' where you add ammonia to the tank. Is that a good way to go? I've spent a lot on these fish and I won't cope well with losses, the guilt would be tough to deal with.

Thanks again

[knighto4]

Hi again,

I've been looking at Tony's African Cichlids website and noticed they sell peacocks in groups of four, two males and two females. But isn't that a bit counterintuitive? I've been told it's best not to have two peacocks of similar colouring in the same tank, so wouldn't buying these groups be a recipe for disaster?

I'd much rather order single males, but the selection on the MALES ONLY section is a bit limited. Does anyone know of any other reputable sites that sell male-only peacock cichlids? I'd really appreciate some recommendations.

Thanks,
Phill

[daxelion]

In larger tanks, having multiple males of similar colouring can work, but only one will truly colour up. It's generally recommended to stick to the one of each rule to avoid any potential issues. When it comes to finding male-only peacocks, I've found it can be a bit tricky. You might want to try searching on Aquarist Classifieds, eBay, or even Gumtree - these platforms often have a wide range of options available.

[knighto4]

What's considered a large tank for peacocks? I've got a 4ft 330 litre one on the way and I'm keen to know if that's big enough to keep multiple males without them killing each other. I've already decided against a mixed tank, all the hassle of dealing with fry and females just sounds like too much stress for me. And then there's the problem of rehoming all the new fish that would keep popping up - not exactly what I want to be dealing with.