If you've ever seen a good aulonocara dragon blood darting via a well-lit aquarium, you already know why they're probably the most sought-after fish within the hobby. There's just something about that will intense, fiery red-orange color that halts people in their tracks. Unlike a few other African cichlids that can become a bit boring or take permanently to color up, these guys are usually built to stand out from the moment they strike maturity.
But there's a bit of an angle with the dragon blood. If an individual search for them in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Malawi, you're likely to be looking regarding a long time. That's mainly because these fish don't actually exist in the wild. These are a "designer" cichlid, a man-made cross likely bred through various Aulonocara (Peacock) species. While some purists in the particular hobby aren't enthusiasts of hybrids, many of us simply can't resist that will incredible neon shine they bring in order to a tank.
Why They Are usually the Stars of the Tank
The main draw of the aulonocara dragon blood is, certainly, the color. We're speaking about a number that will goes from a smooth peach to some serious, blood-red orange. Usually, the face and fins will have got these striking iridescent blue or white highlights that appear like they've already been painted on along with a fine clean.
What's really cool is definitely just how much they may vary. Because they are hybrids, no two seafood look the identical. A few might have even more white marbling—often known as "Firefish" or "Strawberry" peacocks, depending upon who you're talking to—while others are usually a solid, matte orange.
When it comes to size, they're quite manageable. A full-grown male will generally top out around five or six inches. The women, being common with Peacocks, really are a little bit smaller and, truthfully, much less colorful. They tend to be a duller grey or sterling silver with maybe a hint of pink. If you're searching for that "wow" factor, the males are where it's at.
Setting Up the Ideal Home
In the event that you want your own aulonocara dragon blood to flourish and keep those colors bright, a person can't just throw them in any kind of old bowl. They will need space as well as the right environment. I always recommend at minimum a 55-gallon container for any small team, when you may go bigger, perform it. African cichlids are active swimmers and can be a bit territorial, so more floor space is usually better than a high, narrow tank.
Substrate and Decor
In the particular wild (or at least for their particular ancestors), Peacocks are sand-sifters. They love to dive straight into the substrate, get a mouthful of sand, and spit it out by means of their gills to get little bits associated with food. Because of this, sand is the particular best choice for base. Gravel could be a little bit rough on the gills and doesn't enable for that natural behavior.
When it comes to decor, think "caves and corridors. " You want a lot of rockwork where a bullied fish can duck out of sight or where the sub-dominant male can claim a very little patch of actual estate. Just make sure the rocks are secure; these types of fish love to drill down, and you don't want a large stone toppling more than because someone decided to renovate the particular basement.
Drinking water Parameters
Coming from an ancestral line that resided in high-pH, mineral-rich water, these fish need a specific setup. You're searching for a ph level between 7. 5 and 8. five. If your faucet water is smooth, you might require to include some Cichlid salts or use crushed coral within your filter in order to help buffer the particular pH and keep it steady.
Temperature-wise, they enjoy it warm—somewhere in the 76°F in order to 82°F range is definitely the sweet spot. Also, keep in mind that these are messy eaters and produce a fair quantity of waste. The strong canister filter and weekly water changes are fairly much non-negotiable if you want to keep them healthy.
Personality plus Tank Mates
One of the best things about the aulonocara dragon blood is definitely that they are generally more peaceful than the Mbuna (rock-dwelling) cichlids from Lake Malawi. That will doesn't mean they're "community fish" in the sense that they'll get along with guppies or neon tetras—they'll definitely eat anything that suits in their mouths—but they aren't almost as aggressive since some of their particular cousins.
Selecting Neighbors
The best tank buddies for a dragon blood are additional Peacocks or "Haps" (Haplochromis). You want to avoid placing them along with aggressive Mbuna like Kenyi or Auratus cichlids, as the dragon blood will most likely get bullied.
A popular way to bear them is in an "all-male" peacock tank. This allows you to have got a literal rainbow of colors with no constant fighting that happens when females are present. When there's a lady in the area, the boys start showing off, which usually leads to lip-locking and torn fins.
Feeding regarding Color
You are what you eat, and that will be especially true for that aulonocara dragon blood . To keep individuals reds and grapefruits resembling they're plugged into an electric socket, you need in order to feed them top quality food.
Appear for pellets or even flakes which are wealthy in carotenoids plus astaxanthin. These are natural color boosters often derived through krill or spirulina. I like in order to feed a mix of a top quality cichlid pellet as well as the occasional treat associated with frozen mysis shrimp or bloodworms. Simply don't overdo the protein; Peacocks are susceptible to "Malawi Bloat" in case their diet is too heavy or when they get stressed.
One small tip: avoid feeding them excessive "human" food or low-quality fillers. If you nourish them junk, their particular colors will fade, and they'll look more like the dusty brick than a dragon.
The particular Breeding Process
If you possess a male and a few women, odds are you're going to end up getting infants whether you planned for them or not. The aulonocara dragon blood is a maternal mouthbrooder.
It's a pretty fascinating process to watch. The male will discover a flat stone or dig a pit in the sand and start a "dance" to attract a female. He'll shake his whole body and flash his colors. Once the particular female lays her eggs, she immediately picks them upward in her mouth area. The male has "egg spots" on his anal fin that look just like the genuine eggs. When the female tries to pick those up as well, the male releases milt, fertilizing the eggs right within her mouth.
The mom will "hold" the eggs for about three to four several weeks. During this period, she won't eat much, and you'll see her neck looking bulging and heavy—this is known as being "holding. " As soon as the fry are ready, she'll spit them out into a safe spot. In case you want the particular babies to endure, you'll probably need to move the girl to a distinct nursery tank, or maybe the other fish in the primary tank will see the fry as a tasty snack.
Common Difficulties
No fish is perfect, and the aulonocara dragon blood does possess several quirks. Mainly because they are hybrids, their genetics can often be a bit of a gamble. A few might be hardier than others, and occasionally you may see some vertebral issues if the breeding wasn't done carefully.
The biggest concern most keepers encounter is aggression administration. Even though they're "peaceful" for cichlids, they are nevertheless cichlids. There may be a pecking order. There will end up being a dominant boss. As long because you have sufficient hiding spots and don't overcrowd (or undercrowd, which is the weird cichlid trick to spread away aggression), you need to be good.
Final Thoughts
The aulonocara dragon blood is definitely a fantastic choice for anyone looking in order to add an enormous splash of color to their aquarium. They're relatively easy to care for, these people have tons associated with personality, and they honestly appear to be some thing out of a tropical reef container but without the headache of deep sea chemistry.
Regardless of whether you're a seasoned cichlid pro or even you're just beginning to branch out of community tanks, these types of fish are extremely rewarding. Just provide them clean drinking water, some sandy floor to dig in, and good foods, and they'll become the highlight of your living space for a long time to come. Plus, let's end up being real—telling your friends you have a "Dragon Blood" in your tank sounds method cooler than stating you have a goldfish.