Xystichromis phytophagus "Christmas Fulu"

Origin and locale/variety: Nkhomo Reef--Malawi, Lake Malawi, East Africa

Size: Adults are usually 2.0 to 3.5 inches in aquarium environment.

Sex differences: Males obtain a beautiful bright yellow coloration with a metallic blue cheek. Females are silver/brown with hints of yellow.

Aquarium behavior: Aulonocara baenschi is a very undemanding cichlid. In the aquarium, they thrive in any almost any community set-up. It is one of the most peaceful peacock species, even when breeding. It also seems to stay much smaller than many other Aulonocara. The fish accepts most any environment that has gravel/sand, rocks, and even live plants.

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

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. baenschi is a maternal mouthbrooder. The wild forms of this fish have been a bit more difficult to breed than other Aulonocara.

Other information: Many other yellow peacocks are mistakenly sold in the United States as Aulonocara baenschi. In our experience, if one obtains A. baenschi originating in the United States, they are--almost without fail--NOT the real Aulonocara baenschi.

Trivia: The real Aulonocara baenschi has a very curved snout and extremely large eyes. This all makes the fish appear to be nearly all head and tail.

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