The Eureka red peacock is a beautiful and unique freshwater fish that is perfect for the beginner aquarium. They are easy to care for and are very peaceful, making them a great addition to any community tank.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about Eureka red peacock care. You’ll learn about their diet, size, lifespan, and more!
Table of contents
Species overview
The Eureka red peacock (scientific name: Aulonocara eureka) is a type of cichlid that’s native to Lake Malawi in East Africa.
They are found in the southern and western parts of the lake, specifically around the Ndumbi and Pombo Rocks.
These fish prefer areas with a lot of rocks and boulders, as well as plenty of plants and vegetation. This provides them with the perfect amount of hiding places and ambush spots.
The Eureka red peacock is a beautiful fish that is red with blue stripes. This coloration is what makes them so popular in the aquarium trade.
They are a relatively peaceful fish, but they can be aggressive toward other fish that are similar in size and shape.
Appearance
The Eureka Red Peacock is an absolutely stunning fish that is sure to catch your eye. As the name suggests, these fish are a deep red color that looks almost black in some lighting.
The fins on these fish are also red, but they have a beautiful blue sheen that is really stunning. The dorsal, caudal, and anal fins are all long and slender. The dorsal fin has a beautiful blue “webbing” that runs through it.
The pectoral and ventral fins are both red and fairly short in comparison to the other fins.
Eureka Red Peacocks have an elongated body that is thin and streamlined. This gives them a very sleek look and helps them to swim quickly.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a eureka red peacock is around 10 years. However, there are a number of factors that can impact their life expectancy.
For starters, if these fish haven’t reproduced then their lifespan will usually be on the higher side of this range. That process can really take a toll on the fish.
The general level of care they receive obviously matters a great deal as well. Even though these are very hardy fish, they’ll obviously live longer in optimal conditions.
Size
Males of this species can grow to be up to 8 inches, with females usually only reaching around 6 inches.
Tank
Tank Size
The recommended tank size for a single Eureka red peacock is 30 gallons. If you want to keep more than one fish, you should add an additional 10 gallons of water for each fish.
While these fish are not as large as some of the other cichlids on this list, they are still fairly active and need room to swim. They also prefer to have some hiding places and densely planted tanks can provide that for them.
Water Parameters
The Eureka red peacock is a cichlid from Lake Malawi. These fish have very specific water parameter requirements that you must meet if you want to successfully keep them in captivity.
The first and most important thing to remember is that these fish come from alkaline waters. The pH of their natural environment is around 8.0. This is on the high end for most freshwater fish.
You’ll need to maintain similar water conditions in your aquarium if you want your Eureka red peacock to thrive. They’re not as forgiving as some other cichlids when it comes to water parameters.
Other important water parameters to keep in mind include:
- Water temperature: 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit
- pH levels: 7.8 to 8.6
- Water hardness: 10 to 30 dGH
- Alkalinity Levels: 10-20 dKH
What To Put In Their Tank
Peacock cichlids are some of the most popular freshwater fish in the hobby. They’re relatively easy to care for, fun to watch, and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
Eureka red peacocks are one of the more popular varieties. As you can probably guess from their name, these fish are bright red.
When it comes to setting up their tank, you have a few different options. You can go with a classic gravel substrate, or something a little more unique like sand or soil.
These fish love to dig, so a softer substrate is going to be a little more comfortable for them.
As for plants, you can include whatever you want. These fish don’t tend to nibble on vegetation, so you don’t have to worry about that.
Rocks, driftwood, and caves are all great additions to their tank as well. Just make sure that anything you add is securely in place. These fish are known to move things around (and sometimes break them).
Common Diseases
The Eureka red peacock is a very hardy fish, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get sick. In fact, there are a few diseases that these fish are particularly susceptible to.
The most common one is definitely ich. This is a very contagious parasite that can quickly kill your fish if it’s not treated properly.
The most obvious symptom of ich is the presence of white spots on the body, fins, and gills of your fish. If you see this, it’s important to act fast and begin treatment immediately.
Another disease that these fish can get is hole-in-the-head disease. This is caused by poor water quality and the presence of activated carbon in the tank.
This disease presents itself as one or two pits/holes in the skin of your peacock’s head. While it’s not usually deadly, it can cause some serious scarring.
The best way to prevent your Eureka red peacock from getting sick is to simply provide them with a high-quality habitat. A clean tank with stable water conditions will go a long way in keeping your fish healthy and disease-free.
Behavior & Temperament
The Eureka red peacock is a peaceful fish that is known for being a great community tank mate. It is a timid fish though, so it may take a little while for it to come out of its shell.
This fish is a bottom-dweller, so it will spend most of its time near the bottom of the tank. It is a relatively active fish though, so you will see it swimming around from time to time.
The Eureka red peacock is a peaceful fish that is known for being a great community tank mate. It is a timid fish though, so it may take a little while for it to come out of its shell.
Tank Mates
Eureka red peacocks are cichlids, which means they have the potential to be aggressive.
That being said, they’re not the most aggressive cichlid out there. In fact, they’re actually on the mellower side.
This is good news because it broadens the list of compatible tank mates.
The main thing you’ll need to look out for is other aggressive cichlids. These fish are likely to start trouble in the tank.
Other than that, you have a lot of freedom when choosing eureka red peacock tank mates.
Some good options include:
- Angelfish
- Tetras
- Gouramis
- Rainbows
- Danios
- Barbs
Breeding
The Eureka red peacock is a beautiful fish that is not too difficult to breed in the home aquarium. They are mouthbrooders, which means the female will carry the eggs in her mouth until they hatch.
To get started, you will need a breeding tank that is at least 20 gallons in size. The tank should be set up with plenty of hiding places and live plants. Driftwood is a good option for decor.
The water temperature should be between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The pH should be between 6.5 and 7.5.
When ready, add two females for every male. The male will chase the females around and try to mate with them.
Once the female is ready to lay her eggs, she will do so on a flat surface like a piece of driftwood. The male will then fertilize the eggs.
After the eggs are fertilized, the female will pick them up in her mouth and carry them around until they hatch. This process takes about two weeks.
You can then remove the parents and begin feeding the fry baby brine shrimp.
Conclusion
The Eureka Red Peacock is an absolutely stunning fish that will add a splash of color to any freshwater tank.
They’re not the easiest fish to care for, but we think they’re definitely worth the effort.
If you’re up for the challenge, we say go for it! You won’t be disappointed.
