Dragonblood Peacock Care Guide

The Dragonblood Peacock is a striking selectively bred peacock cichlid with a rounded body, large expressive eyes, and vivid red, orange, and sometimes blue coloration. Its appearance varies considerably between bloodlines, with males usually showing the most intense and extensive color as they mature.Like other Aulonocara, it is a moderately sized haplochromine cichlid with a generally calm disposition compared with many Lake Malawi species. It can become territorial, particularly around breeding sites, but its behavior is usually less relentlessly aggressive than that of many mbuna cichlids.The Dragonblood form is not a naturally occurring wild species; it was developed through selective breeding in the aquarium trade. Its ancestral Aulonocara relatives come from the rocky and sandy margins of Lake Malawi in East Africa, where they forage across the substrate for small invertebrates.Aulonocara are often called “peacock cichlids” because of the brilliant colors displayed by mature males. The Dragonblood strain is especially popular because its warm red and orange tones provide a dramatic contrast to the blue and yellow shades seen in many other peacock varieties.