Comparing peacocks and mbuna

[daxton]

Having second thoughts on my new tank's stocking. Initially, I was set on a Mbuna community, but then I saw some Peacocks and now I'm not so sure. I know there are plenty of Mbuna keepers here, but it seems like Peacocks don't get much discussion. I'd love to hear from people who've kept Peacocks - how do they compare to Mbuna in terms of care and maintenance?

[daxelion]

I've got peacocks currently, but I've listed them all for sale as I'm making the switch to Mbuna.

Male peacocks are undoubtedly stunning, but that comes at a price - buying adult males can be quite expensive. On the other hand, females are pretty unimpressive, to be honest. I tried an all-male setup, and while the fish looked great, it was surprisingly dull to watch due to the lack of interaction. Although, some of the line-bred fish did have quite an attitude. Adding females to the mix was a letdown, as it seemed like there were too many brown fish swimming around.

Just my two cents, but I've made up my mind.

[daxton]

Thanks for sharing your experience with Peacocks. I have to admit, the adult males are what initially drew me in - the possibility of creating a mostly male community that's relatively peaceful was a big selling point. I do enjoy the energetic nature of Mbuna, and I'm planning a peaceful setup with them anyway. I know mixing the two isn't recommended, but I'm curious - have you ever experimented with it?

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

[daxelion]

I mixed peacocks with yellow labs, and it seemed to work out fine. However, you've got to keep an eye on the different dietary needs of each species. Some combinations aren't ideal due to aggression issues.

An all-male peacock community can look great, but be prepared to swap out fish periodically to maintain a good balance in the tank.

[daxton]

I've got peacocks currently, but I've listed them all for sale as I'm making the switch to Mbuna.

Male peacocks are undoubtedly stunning, but that comes at a price - buying adult males can be quite expensive. On the other hand, females are pretty unimpressive, to be honest. I tried an all-male setup, and while the fish looked great, it was surprisingly dull to watch due to the lack of interaction. Although, some of the line-bred fish did have quite an attitude. Adding females to the mix was a letdown, as it seemed like there were too many brown fish swimming around.

Just my two cents, but I've made up my mind.

When you say balance, are you referring to aggression levels or something else? I've been doing some research on Aulonocara and from what I've found, most species are compatible with one another. I've selected fish that will be roughly the same size when fully grown and have varied coloration to add some visual interest and avoid any potential cross-breeding issues. I still think it would be a good idea to include some females in the mix, though, in case I decide to breed them in the future.

[daxelion]

Having second thoughts on my new tank's stocking. Initially, I was set on a Mbuna community, but then I saw some Peacocks and now I'm not so sure. I know there are plenty of Mbuna keepers here, but it seems like Peacocks don't get much discussion. I'd love to hear from people who've kept Peacocks - how do they compare to Mbuna in terms of care and maintenance?

By balance I'm referring to the aggression levels among the fish. You see, individual personalities can clash, and introducing one wrong fish can disrupt the harmony of the entire tank. I've experienced this firsthand, and it's crucial to be mindful of it.

Most Aulonocara species are indeed compatible, as long as the males have distinct appearances. I'd love to know what you've selected for your tank so far.

When it comes to having females for breeding purposes, I must caution you that the males can be quite indiscriminate. Given the similarities in female appearance, cross-breeding is likely to occur. I'd recommend either setting up dedicated breeding groups – not just for Aulonocara, but also for some of the smaller Haps – or opting for an all-male tank. Having just a few females with a large number of males isn't a setup I'd advise.

[daxton]

Having second thoughts on my new tank's stocking. Initially, I was set on a Mbuna community, but then I saw some Peacocks and now I'm not so sure. I know there are plenty of Mbuna keepers here, but it seems like Peacocks don't get much discussion. I'd love to hear from people who've kept Peacocks - how do they compare to Mbuna in terms of care and maintenance?

By balance I'm talking about aggression. Fish have very individual personalities and you can't guarantee that they will always get along. I found that adding one wrong fish could throw the whole thing out of kilter.

Yes most Aulonocara are compatible, as long as the males don't look alike. What have you picked out so far for stocking?

The problem with having "some" females is that the males aren't fussy - not at all! And because most of the females look the same, there will more than likely be some cross-breeding. I would suggest you either have a few breeding groups (not just Aulonocara, but some of the smaller Haps), or go down the all male route. I wouldn't recommend just having a couple of females in there with a load of males.

I've personally got Aulonocara sp. German Red, " baenschi, " maylandi, " ethalwynnea, and " Staurtgranti "Flametail" in mind for stocking. If I add females, I'll try to stick to a 1M-3F ratio, but I know the females do look quite alike.

[daxton]

Having second thoughts on my new tank's stocking. Initially, I was set on a Mbuna community, but then I saw some Peacocks and now I'm not so sure. I know there are plenty of Mbuna keepers here, but it seems like Peacocks don't get much discussion. I'd love to hear from people who've kept Peacocks - how do they compare to Mbuna in terms of care and maintenance?

Thanks for the insight. I was initially drawn to Mbuna for their activity, but I'm not looking for a tank full of fighters. I've noted my possible stocking in my previous reply to daxelion. I'm curious to know if your ex has any recommendations for pairings within that group, and if he suggests limiting it to just two types, what other fish could be added to create a more dynamic tank.

[floriana]

I've got peacocks currently, but I've listed them all for sale as I'm making the switch to Mbuna.

Male peacocks are undoubtedly stunning, but that comes at a price - buying adult males can be quite expensive. On the other hand, females are pretty unimpressive, to be honest. I tried an all-male setup, and while the fish looked great, it was surprisingly dull to watch due to the lack of interaction. Although, some of the line-bred fish did have quite an attitude. Adding females to the mix was a letdown, as it seemed like there were too many brown fish swimming around.

Just my two cents, but I've made up my mind.

I've gotta say, I'm loving my Mbuna community. Initially, I was drawn to the peacocks - those males are stunning, but we ended up going with Mbuna instead. Now I've got a male/female community that's bursting with color and activity. The females are just as gorgeous as the males, and they all interact with each other - I know they're interacting because I've found some surprise offspring. My only not-so-colorful fish are my young Hap Tomatoes, but that's just because they're still developing their colors.

[lentoa]

My two Aulonocara sp. German Red males are a great addition to my Mbuna setup. No aggression issues with the rest of the Mbuna - they're all roughly the same size, around 5+. The dominant male does chase the other, but I've never seen them lock lips.

Recently, I've had six holding females and my Auratus has spawned for the second time. I even caught them on video - the female laying eggs, picking them up in her mouth, and the male fertilizing them from his anal fin. The result is over 100 fry, which was a surprise. I had to buy two extra tanks just to keep them all and grow them out.