How to Identify Flavescent Peacock Cichlid

To identify Flavescent Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara stuartgranti), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

compressed

Coloration

Males are highly variable depending on the specific population (color morph), but generally display iridescent blues, yellows, oranges, and reds, often with vertical barring or distinct patterns on the body and fins. Females are typically drab, silvery-brown to grey, sometimes with faint vertical bars, providing camouflage. Juveniles resemble females.

Scale type

ctenoid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Sexual dimorphism: males are brightly colored, females are duller., Elongated sensory pores on the head (lateral line system), characteristic of Aulonocara species, used for detecting prey in the sand., Relatively large eyes., Terminal mouth.

Dorsal fin

Long, extending almost the entire length of the back, with a spiny anterior portion and a soft-rayed posterior portion. Males often have extended rays or vibrant coloration in the dorsal fin.

Tail fin

Caudal fin is typically rounded to slightly emarginate. Males often exhibit colorful patterns or extensions.

Pectoral fin

Paired, located just behind the gills, generally clear or faintly colored.

Distinctive fins

Pelvic fins are often elongated in males, sometimes with a filamentous tip, and can be brightly colored.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Male Coloration

   The most striking identification feature. Males exhibit a wide array of vibrant colors (blue, yellow, orange, red) depending on the specific collection point (e.g., 'Aulonocara stuartgranti Ngara' for the red/orange flametail morph, 'Aulonocara stuartgranti Chitande' for blue/yellow morphs). Females are uniformly dull brown/silver.

2. 2

   Body Shape

   Laterally compressed body, typical of many cichlids, but with a slightly more elongated profile than some other peacock cichlids.

3. 3

   Sensory Pores

   Presence of prominent sensory pores along the lateral line on the head, which are characteristic of the genus Aulonocara and used for detecting vibrations from buried invertebrates.

4. 4

   Fin Morphology

   Males often have extended rays in their dorsal and pelvic fins, and the caudal fin can be colorful. Females have shorter, less ornate fins.

Explore Flavescent Peacock Cichlid