Aulonocara maulana 'Bi-Color 500'

Aulonocara maulana, the Bi-Color 500 Peacock, is named for its dramatic half-and-half colouration: the anterior half of the body, head, and dorsal surface display a brilliant electric blue, transitioning sharply to a warm orange-yellow on the posterior half and caudal region. This clean bicolour division creates one of the most striking colour contrasts among all Lake Malawi peacock cichlids. The 'Bi-Color 500' designation references the fish's locality — deep water off the Maleri Islands in the southern reaches of Lake Malawi. Males develop their full colouration slowly but are spectacular when mature and in excellent condition. A favourite species for mixed peacock-haplochromine display tanks where its distinctive colour pattern stands out effectively among other colourful males.

House in a sandy-bottomed Malawi aquarium of at least 200 litres with background rockwork. Maintain hard, alkaline water (pH 7.6–8.5). Keep one male with two or more females. Feed small pellets and frozen invertebrate foods. Perform weekly 20–25% water changes. Males display best colour in well-maintained, stress-free conditions.