Description:
The Dragon Blood Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara sp.) is one of the most visually impressive African cichlids in the hobby, well known for its intense mix of reds, oranges, and pink tones that create a real centrepiece in any aquarium. As a selectively bred Peacock Cichlid from Lake Malawi origins, it carries the classic streamlined body shape of the group, combined with exaggerated colour development in mature males. Females are typically much more subdued in colour, which helps highlight the males even further as they develop.
These fish are active, confident swimmers that spend much of their time exploring the mid to lower sections of the aquarium. While they are often seen cruising through open water, they also rely heavily on rockwork and structure to establish territories and feel secure. A well-designed aquascape with a balance of open swimming space and defined rocky areas allows them to display their natural behaviour more comfortably and reduces unnecessary stress within the group.
Temperament:
Dragon Blood Peacocks are considered semi-aggressive, although they sit on the more peaceful end of the African cichlid spectrum. Males will establish territories as they mature and may display aggression toward rivals, particularly in smaller or overcrowded setups. However, when kept in appropriately sized aquariums with a proper social structure, this aggression is usually manageable and more about display than harm.
They are best suited to communities of similarly sized and tempered African cichlids, particularly other Peacock varieties and Haplochromines. Mixing them with very small or overly timid species is not recommended, as they can become outcompeted at feeding time and stressed by constant movement and activity.
Diet:
Like most Lake Malawi cichlids, Dragon Blood Peacocks are omnivores and do best on a varied, high-quality diet. A good-quality sinking cichlid pellet should form the foundation of their feeding routine, providing consistent nutrition and supporting growth and body condition.
This base diet should be complemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and krill to encourage natural feeding responses and enhance colour development. Foods rich in natural carotenoids and spirulina are particularly beneficial, as they help support the deep reds and oranges that make this variety so striking. Occasional vegetable-based foods can also be included to maintain a balanced diet and support long-term health.
Breeding Behaviour:
Dragon Blood Peacock Cichlids are maternal mouthbrooders, meaning the female takes full responsibility for incubating and protecting the eggs after spawning. Males will typically set up and defend a territory, often centred around a patch of sand or a flat rock, where they display their strongest colours in an attempt to attract passing females.
Once a female is ready to spawn, she will lay eggs on the chosen site, which are immediately fertilised by the male before she collects them into her mouth. From this point, the female will carry the eggs for around 18–25 days, during which she may reduce or completely stop feeding while she protects the developing fry.
Care Guide:
- Species – Aulonocara sp. (Dragon Blood Peacock Cichlid)
- Common Name – Dragon Blood Peacock Cichlid
- Origin – Lake Malawi, Africa (selectively bred hybrid)
- Temperament – Semi-aggressive
- Diet – Omnivore
- Minimum Tank Requirement – 200 litres
- Tank Level – Mid to bottom dweller
- Care Level – Moderate
- PH Range – 7.8 – 8.6
- Temperature – Tropical 24 – 28°C
- Breed Type – Maternal mouthbrooder
- Size – Grows to approximately 15cm
- Sex – Un-sexed
Acclimation Guide:
- Float the Bag: Place the unopened bag in your tank and let it float for 15–20 minutes. This lets the water inside the bag slowly match your tank’s temperature.
- Turn Off the Lights: Keep the aquarium lights off during this process. It helps keep things calm and prevents sudden temperature changes.
- Add a Bit of Tank Water: After floating, carefully open the bag and pour out about half the water into a sink or bucket (not into your tank). Then, slowly add small amounts of your tank water into the bag over 15–20 minutes. This helps your fish adjust to the new water conditions.
- Gently Move the Fish: Use a fish net to gently move your fish from the bag into the tank. Try not to pour the bag water into your tank — this helps keep your aquarium clean and healthy.
- Watch and Wait: It’s normal for fish to hide or act a bit shy at first. Keep an eye on them, and avoid doing a water change for the first 24 hours to give them time to settle in.
- Feeding Behaviour: New fish may not eat any food for the first 12-24 hours whilst it is settling into its new environment, please allow some time before feeding as the food may go to waste.
For more detailed steps and tips, feel free to visit our Acclimation Guide in our Education tab to help make the transition as smooth as possible for your new fish.
Dragon Blood Peacock Cichlid
Dragon Blood Peacock Cichlid
Size Guide
Adult size 15cm
Selected size —
Low stock: 5 left
To minimise territorial aggression, we recommend stocking these fish in groups of 5 or more of their own kind, or mixed with other peaceful African cichlids (such as Peacock or Haplochromis species) in tanks no smaller than 200–280 litres. Discount applies automatically when added to cart.
Need more details? Everything about shipping, care and guarantees is just below.
Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee
Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee
✅ Healthy Fish Guarantee - All orders are covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with DOA (Dead On Arrival) policies in place for peace of mind.
🚚 $30 flat-rate shipping - Arrives within 1-4 business days, Free shipping on fish for orders over $150.
📦 Ordering supplies too? - Dry goods ship separately and have their own $11.95 shipping fee. This ensures faster delivery, so your fish never wait for equipment to be in stock. When ordering both fish and dry goods, both shipping fees apply ($30 + $11.95 = $41.95 total).
🌿 Packed safely - Fast, reliable shipping with oxygen, insulation and careful handling, packaging Includes insulated boxes, insulation such as news paper to keep everything warm and snug, heat packs during colder seasons, and high quality fish bags.
📦🐟 Live Fish Ship Mondays & Tuesdays Only - To minimise transit time and ensure your fish arrive happy and healthy.
🚚💨Express shipping ONLY - These orders will be defaulted to Express shipping so your fish get to you as fast as possible.
💙 Thank you - for helping us put the health and safety of our fish first!
👉 For more detailed information, please visit our shipping page.
Tank Requirements - Quick Overview
Tank Requirements - Quick Overview
If your aquarium is new, it may not be fully cycled yet. Newly set up tanks benefit from being fully cycled before adding fish, this process helps your new fish stay happy and healthy. Depending on your tank size, cycling can take up to 4–6 weeks or even longer, but there are ways to speed up this process to just a few days! If your tank has already been running for a while, you’re already good to go! Not sure what cycling means? Check out our guide on The Nitrogen Cycle for an easy explanation on what it is, and why it is important for your aquarium to thrive.
🐟 Want expert tips for your aquarium? Beginners can start with How to set up your aquarium, while everyone can check out Aquarium Maintenece & Care for ongoing tank tips!
How We Package & Ship Your Fish - Video
How We Package & Ship Your Fish - Video
Looking for Supplies & Accessories like Nets, Filters, Pumps, Breeding & Aquascape gear? You can find them here!
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Tank Mate Compatibility
✅ Compatible With
- Other Peacock Cichlids — Best kept in groups, as they share similar temperament, diet, and water requirements
- Haplochromis (Haps) — Comparable African cichlids that match well in size and activity levels
- Synodontis Catfish — Hardy, peaceful bottom dwellers that coexist well in Malawi setups
- Other Malawi Cichlids (carefully selected) — Can work in larger, well-structured aquariums when aggression levels are balanced
❌ Avoid or Use Caution
- Synodontis “Cuckoo” Catfish — While interesting tank mates, they are not recommended in breeding setups. These catfish are known brood parasites and may interfere with mouthbrooding cichlids by spawning during the breeding process, resulting in disrupted broods
- Overly Aggressive Cichlids — Large or dominant species can intimidate or injure Dragon Blood Peacocks
- Very Small Fish — Species such as nano fish may become stressed due to size difference and constant activity
- Slow or Timid Species — Peaceful fish that prefer calm environments are not suited to the active cichlid setup
- Mixed Breeding Setups — Eggs and fry may be lost or consumed in active community tanks
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Dragon Blood Peacock Cichlids get?
Dragon Blood Peacock Cichlids typically reach around 12–15 cm in length when fully grown, with males usually becoming slightly larger and far more colourful than females. Growth rate and final size are strongly influenced by diet, tank size, and overall water quality, with well-maintained aquariums producing healthier, more vibrant adults.
Are Dragon Blood Peacock Cichlids aggressive?
They are considered semi-aggressive, but are generally more peaceful compared to many other African cichlids. Most aggression is related to males establishing territory or displaying dominance, especially in smaller tanks. In appropriately sized aquariums with a proper social structure, their behaviour is usually manageable and mostly consists of visual displays rather than serious conflict.
What tank size do Dragon Blood Peacocks need?
A minimum of 200 litres is recommended for a small group, with larger tanks being strongly preferred if keeping multiple males or a community setup. Extra space helps reduce territorial disputes and allows fish to establish their own areas within the aquarium.
What do Dragon Blood Peacock Cichlids eat?
They thrive on a varied omnivorous diet built around high-quality cichlid pellets. This should be supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and krill to support growth and colour development. Occasional spirulina or vegetable-based foods can also help maintain balanced nutrition and long-term health.
Can Dragon Blood Peacocks live with other fish?
Yes, they can be kept with other similarly sized African cichlids such as Peacocks, Haps, and selected Malawi species. They are not suitable for small, slow, or overly peaceful fish, as these species may become stressed in a more active cichlid environment or struggle during feeding time.
How do Dragon Blood Peacock Cichlids breed?
They are maternal mouthbrooders. The male establishes a territory and displays to attract a female, who then lays eggs on a chosen surface before collecting them into her mouth for incubation. The eggs are carried for approximately 18–25 days before fully formed fry are released into the aquarium.
How can you tell male and female Dragon Blood Peacocks apart?
Males develop significantly brighter red, orange, and pink colouration as they mature, while females remain more muted in comparison. Males may also show slightly more elongated fins and stronger territorial behaviour, especially once fully grown.
Do Dragon Blood Peacock Cichlids need special water conditions?
Yes, they prefer stable, alkaline water conditions similar to Lake Malawi, with a pH between 7.8 and 8.6 and temperatures around 24–28°C. Consistency is more important than perfection, as sudden fluctuations can lead to stress or reduced health over time.
Are Dragon Blood Peacocks good for beginners?
They can be suitable for beginners who are prepared for an African cichlid setup. While they are relatively hardy, they do require stable water conditions, appropriate tank mates, and a properly sized aquarium. Once these basics are met, they are quite straightforward to keep and very rewarding.
A Note on Our Fish:
Fish may vary slightly in colour, size, and pattern from those pictured or shown in images and videos. This is natural across all fish, whether bred in-house, locally sourced, or imported, as individual variation is part of what makes each fish unique!
Every fish is quality checked for health, behaviour, and appearance before leaving our fish room. Fish that are dispatched as juveniles will grow into their adult size and colouration over time with a good balanced diet and proper care.
