Flavescent

The Flavescent Peacock (Aulonocara stuartgranti "Usisya") is a stunning Lake Malawi African cichlid featuring striking yellow bodies, crisp black fins, and glowing blue heads. They require a large, heavily decorated aquarium with highly alkaline water and a varied, omnivorous diet.

Optimal Water Parameters

Flavescent peacocks are native to the intermediate rocky/sandy zones of Lake Malawi and demand stable, high-quality water.

Temperature: 76°F–82°FpH Level: 7.8 to 8.6 (Alkaline and hard water is essential)

Water Changes: 20% to 30% weekly to keep nitrates below 50 mg/L

Filtration: High-capacity canister filtration is recommended to handle the bioload of African cichlids.

Tank Setup & Decor

Mimicking their natural habitat will help prevent stress and highlight their natural metallic colors.

Minimum Tank Size: 75+ gallons (or 300+ liters) with plenty of open swimming space.

Substrate: Fine, aragonite-based sand is ideal, as it naturally helps buffer the water's pH.

Hardscape: Arrange rocks and caves along the back and sides of the tank to provide territorial boundaries and safe hiding spots.

Lighting: Moderate lighting works best. Extremely bright lights can wash out their coloration and cause stress.

Diet & Feeding

Because they are omnivores, their diet should cover both meaty proteins and plant matter.

Staple Foods: High-quality, color-enhancing cichlid pellets or flakes.

Supplements: Brine shrimp, bloodworms, or mysis shrimp.

Routine: Feed 1–2 small portions daily. Be very careful not to overfeed, as this can lead to dangerous digestive issues like Malawi bloat.

Tank Mates & Temperament

Flavescent peacocks are mildly aggressive but are generally considered peaceful compared to other African cichlid groups.Keep One Male: Keep only one male per tank to prevent severe territorial fighting. They can be kept in a harem with 3–4 females.

Compatible Companions: Other peaceful peacock cichlids (Aulonocara), Haplochromines ("Haps"), and non-mbuna cichlids that share the same water requirements.

Avoid: Highly aggressive Mbuna cichlids (e.g., typical Hongi or Kenyi) that may bully and stress the Flavescent.