OB Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara sp.)

🦚 OB Peacock — Aulonocara sp.

The OB Peacock is a striking African cichlid commonly sold under the Aulonocara (Peacock) name. “OB” stands for Orange Blotch, referring to the irregular orange/red/black blotching pattern across the body and fins. Unlike a naturally occurring, formally described species, OB Peacocks in the aquarium trade are generally captive-bred color strains/hybrids, so their exact lineage can vary between breeders.

🔎 Quick Facts – OB Peacock (Aulonocara sp.)

• 📛 Common Name: OB Peacock, Orange Blotch Peacock
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Aulonocara sp. / trade strain
• 🌍 Origin: Lake Malawi, Africa — Peacock cichlid ancestry
• 🎨 Appearance: Bright orange, red, blue, yellow, and dark blotches; each fish can have a unique pattern
• 📏 Max Size: Around 5–6 inches (13–15 cm)
• 💎 Availability: Common to moderately available; quality specimens are highly prized by hobbyists

😇 Behavior & Temperament

• ⚔️ Semi-aggressive, particularly among males and around breeding territories
• 🐟 Generally less aggressive than many Malawi Mbuna
• 🏠 Best kept in a properly stocked African cichlid community with compatible Lake Malawi species
• 👑 Males are typically more colorful, while females are often less intensely colored
• 🧠 Active and inquisitive fish that readily learn feeding routines

Because OB coloration can come from mixed or selectively bred lineages, temperament and appearance can differ between individual fish and breeders.

🏠 Aquarium & Tank Requirements

• 📦 Minimum Tank Size: About 75 gallons for a suitable adult community; larger is preferable for groups
• 🪨 Rockwork should provide caves, visual barriers, and separate territories
• 🏖️ A sand or fine-gravel substrate works well
• 🌊 Strong biological and mechanical filtration is important because Malawi cichlids produce substantial waste
• 💡 Moderate lighting helps bring out the fish's intense coloration
• 🔒 Use a secure lid—Peacocks can jump when startled

For a Malawi community, maintaining appropriate stocking and providing plenty of visual breaks can substantially reduce aggression.

💧 Water Parameters – OB Peacock Care

• 🌡️ Temperature: 76–82°F (24–28°C)
• ⚗️ pH: 7.5–8.6
• 💧 Hardness: Moderately hard to hard, alkaline water
• 💨 Good oxygenation and water movement are recommended

Stable water quality is generally more important than chasing an exact number.

🍽️ Diet – Omnivorous / Insectivore

OB Peacocks should receive a varied diet based around quality foods formulated for African cichlids:

• 🐟 High-quality cichlid pellets or granules
• 🦐 Occasional frozen foods such as mysis shrimp
• 🌿 Spirulina-based foods can be included as part of a varied diet
• 🥬 Small amounts of suitable vegetable matter

Avoid making very fatty or mammalian-protein-heavy foods a staple. A balanced Malawi-cichlid diet is a better choice.

🧬 Breeding

• 🥚 Maternal mouthbrooder
• 👑 Males establish territories and display to females
• 🐣 Females carry fertilized eggs and developing fry in their mouths
• 🎨 OB offspring can show considerable variation in coloration and pattern

If maintaining a particular OB strain, knowing the breeder's lineage is especially important because “OB Peacock” isn't a single standardized species.

📋 OB Peacock Overview Table

✨ Highlight:

The OB Peacock stands out because no two fish necessarily look exactly alike. Its dramatic orange-blotch pattern combined with the iridescent coloration associated with Peacock cichlids makes it one of the most visually distinctive fish in a Malawi aquarium.