Aulonocara sp. 'Stuartgranti Maleri'

The Maleri Island locality form of Aulonocara stuartgranti is one of the most desirable peacock cichlid variants, with males displaying a vibrant orange-yellow body that transitions to electric blue colouration on the head and upper flanks — a colour pattern that combines warmth and vibrancy in a way that few other cichlids can match. In nature, this form inhabits the sandy shorelines of Maleri Island in the southern Lake Malawi basin, hunting for invertebrates buried in the sand using its highly developed lateral line sensory system. This hunting behaviour — hovering motionlessly before diving to sift the substrate — is a distinctive and fascinating behaviour for aquarium observers to watch. The species prefers open sandy areas in the aquarium and moderate rockwork for territory definition.

Provide an aquarium of at least 250 litres with substantial open sandy areas and moderate background rockwork. Maintain hard, alkaline Malawi water. Keep one male with two to three females. Feed small-to-medium cichlid pellets, frozen mysis, and cyclops. Perform weekly water changes. Male colour intensity peaks in well-maintained, stress-free conditions.