Mbenji (Aulonocara koningsi)
Mbenji (Aulonocara koningsi) is a spectacular peacock cichlid from Lake Malawi. The Mbenji Peacock is a large and impressive Aulonocara with vivid blue to blue-green body coloration and bright egg-spot markings on the anal fin. The Mbenji Island locality form is known for particularly deep, saturated blue coloration in dominant males. Named for Ad Konings — the foremost authority on Lake Malawi cichlids.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Cichlid Bio-Gold is the ideal staple for peacock cichlids — Hikari Micro Pellets as a good backup. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp. Feed near the substrate to encourage natural sand-sifting behavior. Unlike mbuna, peacocks can safely receive occasional frozen foods without Malawi Bloat risk.
Lake Malawi is a large, deep, alkaline lake with remarkably stable water chemistry. Hard, alkaline water with excellent filtration and regular water changes are essential. Crushed coral or aragonite substrate helps maintain the required pH and hardness. Provide plenty of rockwork to create territories and sight-breaks — this significantly reduces aggression by giving subordinate fish refuge from dominant males.
Keep one male with two or more females. Males are magnificent in full color but will fight with conspecific males — a single male per species per tank is the rule unless the aquarium is very large. Aulonocara mix well with other peacock species and many haplochromine cichlids but should be kept away from aggressive mbuna. Provide a sandy substrate for their natural sand-sifting feeding behavior.
Native to Mbenji Island, Lake Malawi. Sandy substrate is essential for this species' natural sand-sifting behavior — sifting through sand to find buried invertebrates is central to its lifestyle and keeps it mentally stimulated in captivity.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive — Malawi peacock |
| Typical Adult Size | 5.5 inches (14 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | 1 male to 2+ females — 1 male per species |
| Ideal Temp | 76–82°F (24–28°C) |
| Ideal pH | 7.8–8.5 |
| Ideal GH | 10–20 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 6–12 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Cichlid Bio-Gold; Hikari Micro Pellets (backup) |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp |
| Origin | Mbenji Island, Lake Malawi |
| Notes | Named for cichlid authority Ad Konings. Deep saturated blue male coloration. One of the larger Aulonocara. Sand substrate essential. Mouthbrooder. |
