Dragon Blood Peacock Care Guide: Tank Size, Diet & Tankmates
The Dragon Blood Peacock (Aulonocara sp.) is one of the most popular and brilliantly colored African cichlids in the hobby — a man-made strain prized for its glowing red, orange, and pink tones. At Tropical Treasures Wyo, we carry the Dragon Blood Peacock along with a rotating range of other African cichlids like the Apache Peacock and Flametail Peacock. Stock rotates often, so message us if you don't see one listed.
Meet the Dragon Blood Peacock
Peacock cichlids belong to the genus Aulonocara, native to the rocky, sandy transition zones of Lake Malawi in East Africa. The Dragon Blood is a selectively bred line rather than a wild species, developed for its intense red-orange coloration that both males and females display more strongly than most wild peacocks. Adults reach roughly 5–6 inches, and males show the brightest color while staying relatively peaceful for an African cichlid.
Tank Size and Setup
We recommend a minimum of a 55-gallon aquarium for a small group, with larger tanks better for reducing aggression and housing more color. Peacocks are open-water foragers that cruise the sandy zones in the wild, so they appreciate open swimming room plus rocky structure to retreat into.
- A soft sand substrate lets them sift and forage naturally.
- Stack rockwork and caves to create territories and sight breaks.
- Keep one male with several females, or an all-male tank with plenty of room, to manage aggression.
- Strong filtration and steady flow keep the hard, alkaline water clean.
Water Parameters and Temperature
Like all Lake Malawi cichlids, Dragon Blood Peacocks need hard, alkaline water. Aim for a temperature of 76–82°F, a pH of about 7.8–8.6, and moderately hard to hard water. Stable parameters and good filtration matter more than chasing exact numbers, and consistent water changes keep these active fish in top color.
Feeding Your Dragon Blood Peacock
Peacocks are micro-predators in the wild, sifting sand for invertebrates, so they do best on a quality, lower-protein cichlid diet. Avoid overly rich or mammalian-protein foods, which can cause bloat in Aulonocara.
- A spirulina-rich staple such as Hikari Cichlid Excel pellets or Xtreme Cichlid pellets.
- Occasional frozen treats like brine shrimp; avoid bloodworms in excess.
- Browse our full pellet selection and fish food range for variety.
Tankmates and Temperament
Dragon Blood Peacocks are among the more peaceful African cichlids, but they are still territorial and best kept with other Malawi cichlids of similar size and temperament. Good companions include other peacocks and milder haps such as the Red Empress. Avoid mixing them with aggressive mbuna or with soft-water community fish, which won't tolerate the hard, alkaline conditions. Keeping a single male per peacock color helps prevent cross-breeding and reduces male-on-male aggression.
Is the Dragon Blood Peacock Right for You?
The Dragon Blood is a fantastic choice for keepers who want bold color and active behavior in a hard-water cichlid tank, and it is hardy enough for those newer to African cichlids. If you are building a Malawi community, our Red Empress guide, Electric Blue Hap guide, and Venustus guide are great next reads.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Dragon Blood Peacocks get? Most reach about 5–6 inches as adults, so a 55-gallon or larger tank is recommended for a group.
Are Dragon Blood Peacocks aggressive? They are among the more peaceful African cichlids, but they are still territorial and should be housed with similar Malawi cichlids rather than soft-water community fish.
Do female Dragon Blood Peacocks have color? Yes — unlike most wild peacocks, both males and females of this line show red-orange coloration, though males are typically brighter.