(116) Eureka Red Cichlid 3in

The Eureka Red Cichlid is a selectively bred color form of the wild Aulonocara jacobfreibergi, a peacock cichlid native to Lake Malawi in Africa. Known for its vibrant red body, often with a metallic blue face and fins, it is a popular and engaging addition to African cichlid aquariums.

• Tank size: A minimum of 55 to 75 gallons is recommended for a group, but larger tanks are always better for managing aggression and providing stable water conditions.
• Substrate: A fine, sandy substrate is ideal. Peacocks are bottom-sifters, and coarse substrates can harm their gills.
• Filtration: A robust filtration system is essential to handle their bioload and maintain the pristine water conditions they need.
• Water parameters:
  • Temperature: Maintain a stable temperature between 75 and 82°F (24–28°C).
  • pH: A high pH of 7.5–8.6 is necessary to replicate their natural Lake Malawi habitat.
• Decorations: Aquascape with plenty of stacked rocks, caves, and crevices to create territories and hiding places. Provide open swimming space in the center.
• Cover: A secure lid is necessary to prevent them from jumping out of the tank. 

• Omnivorous diet: In the wild, they sift through the sand for small invertebrates. A varied diet of high-quality foods is best.
• Food types:
  • Staple: High-quality cichlid pellets and flakes.
  • Supplements: Include frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia.
• Feeding schedule: Feed small portions two to three times daily, ensuring all food is consumed within a few minutes. 

• Semi-aggressive: While generally less aggressive than mbuna cichlids, males can be territorial, especially toward their own kind.
• Tank mates: They are best kept with other similarly sized and tempered Lake Malawi cichlids, such as other Peacock cichlids (Aulonocara species) and Haps (Haplochromine cichlids).
• Social dynamics: To minimize aggression, maintain a male-to-female ratio of at least 1:3. 

• Maternal mouthbrooders: Like other peacocks, the female carries the fertilized eggs and fry in her mouth for protection.
• Spawning behavior: The male will court a female, who will lay her eggs in a pit he has dug in the sand. The female then picks up the eggs, and fertilization occurs with the male's help.
• Raising fry: To protect the fry, you can move the brooding female to a separate tank. The female will hold the eggs for several weeks before releasing the free-swimming fry.