Are Peacock Cichlids Aggressive: What Can You Do to Avoid Aggression?

If you’re looking for a brightly-colored fish that requires minimal care, you should consider getting a peacock cichlid. These fish are native to Africa and can be found in captivity across the globe. Peacock cichlids are easy to keep and require very little water, making them perfect for anyone who is looking to set up a small aquarium. They also make great additions to a community tank, as they are social creatures that enjoy being around other fish.

All cichlids are territorial, and some can be aggressive, but peacock cichlids, particularly, can become quite aggressive if they feel threatened. It is always a good idea to keep any tank small enough so that each fish has plenty of space to roam without being crowded and avoid engaging in physical confrontations. If you are experiencing aggression from your peacock cichlid, it is essential to ensure they have adequate space in their tank.

This fish can become quite territorial if they feel threatened and may attack other fish in the tank. Therefore, it is best to move some of the other fish out of the tank and provide more spacious surroundings for your peacock cichlid if this occurs.

How to Avoid Aggressiveness Among Peacock Cichlids

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to caring for peacock cichlids, as their needs will vary depending on the type of fish and the size of the tank they are being kept in. However, a few general tips can help keep these fish healthy and happy and avoid aggression.

Tank Size

A 55-60 gallon tank is the recommended minimum size to keep one peacock cichlid or two. Although larger tanks can accommodate more fish, they may also become overcrowded and stressed. For a single peacock cichlid, choose an aquarium that measures at least 18 inches long by 12 inches wide by 12 inches deep—more space will allow for swimming and hiding.

Aquarium Space

One of the primary requirements for keeping peacock cichlid healthy is plenty of swimming space. These fish need to be able to move about freely in their tank and avoid feeling confined. They require a lot of room to swim and shelter from other fish in the tank. A large tank is best for these fish, and they should also have a place to hide. These fish need plenty of space to swim around and relax, ensuring that your tank doesn’t have too many other fish.

Variety of Diet

Feed your peacock cichlid a diverse diet with lots of live food options. Crustaceans, insects, worms, and small fishes are all awesome things to add to their diet. In addition, peas, lettuce, spinach, and some fruits will also be good additions to their diet.

Water Quality and Filter

Peacock cichlids require good water quality and a regular filter like all fish. Ensure to clean the tank regularly, adjust the water parameters as needed, and install a filter that can handle high levels of waste production.

Water Changes

You should replace freshwater at least twice a week, and tanks that have more fish will need more frequent water changes. In addition, remove some of the water during changes and add it back in as a conditioning agent. These fish specifically require soft, acidic water with a pH between 6-9 with plenty of oxygen dissolved; make sure to buy marine salt additives if you have standard tap water (that is not distilled). It’s important not to overfeed your peacock cichlid, which can lead to potential complications like rot in their digestive tract or parasites.

Types of Peacock Cichlids and Aggressiveness Level

There are many different peacock cichlids, and each is likely to have different aggression levels. So if you’re new to keeping these fish, it’s best to look for a species that isn’t known for being particularly aggressive.

Blue Orchid Peacock Cichlid

The blue orchid peacock cichlid is a relatively peaceful fish and typically doesn’t get aggressive unless it feels threatened. They are good companions for other fish but should be kept in smaller tanks, giving them plenty of space. In addition, their small size means that they are more prone to becoming injured by other fish. They will eat various foods but don’t require high nutrition levels and should be fed flake food for most situations.

OB Peacock Cichlid

The OB peacock cichlid is a more aggressive fish and can be challenging to keep in a tank with other animals. They should only be kept with other peacock cichlids or large, peaceful fish. This species is known to get quite territorial if it feels threatened. In addition, they are likely to be aggressive towards other small fish. Their lack of aggression makes them a more peaceful relative to the blue orchid, and they can sometimes re-orientate their rakes to reduce damage when feeding on algae away from stems, leaves, and rocks.

Dragonblood Peacock Cichlid

The dragonblood peacock cichlid is one of the more aggressive species and should only be kept with other peacock cichlids or large, aggressive fish. They are good companions for some types of fish but can get territorial if they feel threatened. This fish is also known to be quite avid feeders, consuming a large amount of food each day. As with most cichlids, they require high water quality levels and should never be allowed to sit in standing water, as this can lead to algae growth and skin problems.

Sulfurhead Peacock Cichlid

The sulfurhead peacock cichlid is a peaceful fish and typically isn’t aggressive. They should be kept in smaller tanks with other fish or left completely alone if you don’t have any other companions for them. They are good algae eaters and can stomach a wide variety of foods but should never be fed live food as they may get eaten by other fish in the aquarium.