Overview

Sunshine Peacocks are a Lake Malawi cichlid known for their bright yellow coloration and active behavior. Males develop intense color, while females remain more subdued. Best suited for African cichlid setups with rockwork and stable water parameters.

Key Features

• Bright yellow/gold coloration (males)
• Active swimmer, high visibility
• Excellent African cichlid centerpiece
• Hardy once established
• Strong customer demand

Care Requirements

• Tank Size: 55 gallons minimum
• Temperature: 76–82°F
• pH: 7.5–8.6
• Water Hardness: Hard, alkaline
• Diet: Omnivore (cichlid pellets, frozen foods)
• Lifespan: 6–10 years

Behavior & Compatibility

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive
• Best kept:
  • Male with multiple females (harem)
  • African cichlid community (peacocks/haplochromis)
• Avoid:
  • Small community fish
  • Shrimp (will be eaten)
  • Very aggressive mbuna unless experienced

Tank Setup

• Rock-heavy aquascape (caves/territories)
• Sand substrate preferred
• Strong filtration and flow
• Minimal plants (optional: hardy species like Anubias)

Breeding

• Maternal mouthbrooder
• Females hold eggs ~2–3 weeks
• Males display brighter coloration during breeding