Size and Appearance

The span of a Sunshine Peacock is generally five to seven inches, with males usually sizing up larger than their female counterparts.

Nothing rivals the sight of a Sunshine Peacock displaying its brilliant yellow body contrasted by a luminescent blue face. The glowing blue pops against the matte yellow body, enhancing the beauty of the white-edged dorsal fin bordering the body.

Drawing on color wheel fundamentals, you’ll recall that blue and yellow are opposites, offering a splash of contrast that will liven up your aquarium. That’s where the Sunshine Cichlid earns its stripes!

Unlike some species, the color of the Sunshine Peacock remains stable and doesn’t change according to mood or breeding status. However, female and juvenile cichlids aren’t as gloriously colored as adult males, so consider choosing a male if color vibrancy is your goal.

Their appearance can exhibit slight variances based on the location they hail from. Those from Maleri Island may predominantly feature a yellow face while other strains might be bluer. Specimens from Chipoka tend to sport a deep indigo head, while those bred in captivity tend to be between orange and yellow.

Sunshine Peacocks, found between six to 40 meters deep in Lake Malawi, are typically middle-tier swimmers in an aquarium setting.

Brightly colored and lively, Sunshine Peacocks jazz up your aquarium by exploring decorations, swimming around plants, and searching for hidden delicacies in the sand. Though they don’t need to forage for food in captivity, it’s an intrinsic activity.

While African cichlids do demonstrate varying aggressiveness levels due to territorial disputes, the Sunshine Peacock diverges from this trait and is less hostile. Instead of using aggression to establish dominance or create a pecking order, males of this species only show aggression while competing for mates or guarding offsprings.

Creating a peacefully dynamic and colorful aquarium with an all-male Sunshine Cichlid tank is an option if breeding isn’t on the cards. If breeding piques your interest, maintain a 1:3 male-to-female ratio to minimize aggression.

The Sunshine cichlid is readily available, making it likely to find it at nationwide pet supply chains like Petco or Petsmart. Local fish stores might stock them as well. But remember, just because the label reads “Sunshine Peacock,” it doesn’t guarantee authenticity.

Care Guide