Ngara Flametail Peacock: A Stunning Peacock CichlidThe Ngara Flametail Peacock (Aulonocara stuartgranti “Ngara”) is a vibrant and captivating cichlid from Lake Malawi. Known for its dazzling blue body and fiery red-orange tail, this Peacock Cichlid brings unmatched colour and elegance to any aquarium. With its peaceful nature and striking appearance, the Ngara Flametail is perfect for cichlid enthusiasts of all experience levels.Size and LifespanNgara Flametail Peacocks grow to an average size of 12–15 cm. With proper care and a well-maintained tank, they can live for 6–8 years, adding long-term beauty to your aquarium.Tank Size and RequirementsA tank of at least 200 liters is ideal for these cichlids, providing enough space for swimming and territory establishment. They thrive in water temperatures between 24°C–28°C and a pH range of 7.8–8.6. Use a sandy substrate with plenty of rocks and caves to mimic their natural habitat. These structures also provide hiding spots, reducing stress.Tank MatesNgara Flametail Peacocks are peaceful cichlids, best kept with other non-aggressive Haps and Peacocks. Avoid mixing them with overly aggressive or very timid species. A ratio of one male to several females helps minimize aggression and encourages natural behaviour.FeedingThese omnivorous cichlids require a balanced diet. Provide high-quality cichlid pellets or flakes as their main food. Supplement with live or frozen treats like brine shrimp or daphnia, as well as spirulina-based foods, to keep them healthy and vibrant.Enhancing Their Stunning ColoursTo bring out the full brilliance of the Ngara Flametail’s colours, focus on diet and lighting. Feeding them AquaMunch Super Colour products enhances their vivid blue and fiery red tones by providing essential nutrients like astaxanthin. Additionally, using colour-enhancing lights such as AquaNice LED Tubes makes their colours truly pop, transforming your aquarium into a vibrant display.Breeding Ngara Flametail PeacocksBreeding these cichlids is relatively straightforward. Males display their stunning colours to court females, who are maternal mouthbrooders. Females carry eggs and fry in their mouths for 18–21 days. To encourage breeding, provide flat rocks or caves as spawning sites and maintain pristine water quality. Feed fry finely crushed flakes or baby brine shrimp to promote healthy growth.FAQsHow big do Ngara Flametail Peacocks get? They grow up to 12–15 cm, making them a perfect fit for medium-sized aquariums.Are they aggressive? They are peaceful but can show mild territorial behaviour, especially during breeding.What tank mates are suitable? Non-aggressive Haps and Peacocks are ideal companions.What do they eat? They thrive on cichlid pellets, live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, and occasional spirulina flakes.How do they breed? Females are mouthbrooders, carrying eggs and fry in their mouths for about 18–21 days.Species OverviewSpecies: Aulonocara stuartgranti “Ngara”Common Name: Ngara Flametail PeacockOrigin: Lake Malawi, AfricaDiet: OmnivorePH Range: 7.8–8.6Temperature: 24°C–28°CMax Size: Up to 15 cmTank Size: Minimum 200 liters
