If you're looking to add some severe pop to your aquarium, the blueberry ob peacock cichlid is most likely already on your radar. These fish are absolute showstoppers, plus honestly, pictures rarely do them rights. They have this crazy mix of deep blues, lighter speckles, and that signature "OB" (orange blotch) pattern that makes every solitary individual look like an unique piece of living art. Since they're hybrids, you never very know exactly exactly how the pattern will turn out, that is part of typically the fun of maintaining them.
I've spent considerable time about African cichlids, and the blueberry version of the OB peacock is effortlessly one of the particular most requested seafood for a cause. They bring a level of colour intensity that you usually only see in saltwater tanks, but without all the headaches of mixing salt and maintaining the reef. However, they will aren't exactly "set it and overlook it" fish. There's a bit associated with a learning curve to keeping them happy and radiant.
What Exactly Is a Blueberry OB Peacock?
Before all of us dive to the treatment stuff, it's worth knowing what you're actually putting within your tank. The blueberry ob peacock cichlid isn't a species you'll find swimming around in Lake Malawi. Instead, they're the result of cautious line breeding and hybridization. The "OB" gene actually originates from certain mbuna varieties, but breeders crossed it into the particular peacock lineage in order to get that marble-like appearance.
The particular "blueberry" part of the title refers to the particular color strain. You're looking for a fish that has a heavy concentration of azure and purple colors rather than the particular typical orange or even yellow you notice in standard OBs. Because they are usually hybrids, their character can be more capricious than the usual purebred Aulonocara , but they generally fall directly into that special spot of getting semi-aggressive.
Environment Up the Best Home
You can't just throw a blueberry ob peacock cichlid into a ten-gallon container and expect this to thrive. These types of guys need area. If you're starting out, a 55-gallon tank will be the absolute minimum, but if you want in order to see them from their best, the 75-gallon or larger is the way to go. The additional footprint gives all of them room to determine areas, which helps keep the particular peace.
Base and Decor
In the wild (or at minimum their ancestors' wild), these fish are sand-sifters. You'll discover them scoop upward a mouthful associated with sand, blow it out through their own gills, and look for very little bits of food. Because of this particular, I always suggest using a sandy base . If you use sharp small, they can really hurt their gills or mouths.
For decor, believe rocks. Lots of rocks. You want to produce caves and crevices where they can shift out of view if another fish gets too pushy. Make absolutely certain the rocks are secure upon the bottom associated with the glass so they don't tip over when the fish start digging—and they will may get.
Water High quality is Everything
African cichlids are usually known for needing hard water having a high pH. You're aiming for the pH between 7. 8 and 8. six . If your own tap water is usually soft, you'll probably need to use a buffer or even some crushed coral in your filtration system to keep these numbers up.
Also, maintain an eye upon your nitrates. Peacocks are sensitive to dirty water, plus they'll lose their color or get "bloat" if the particular water quality moves. I usually suggest a 25-50% drinking water change every week. This might sound like the lot, but it's the secret in order to keeping those troubles looking electric.
Diet and Nutrition
Feeding the blueberry ob peacock cichlid isn't too complicated, but variety is key. Within their natural habitat, peacocks are insectivores and bottom-feeders. In your tank, they'll eat almost anything, yet that doesn't mean they should.
A high-quality cichlid pellet should end up being the base associated with their diet. Search for something that stresses color enhancement—usually that contains things such as spirulina or krill. I furthermore like to augment with frozen meals like mysis shrimp or bloodworms a couple of times a week. Just be careful not really to overfeed; these fish are money grubbing and will consume until they appear like they're regarding to pop, which isn't good for their long-term wellness.
Personality plus Tank Mates
The blueberry ob peacock cichlid has a personality that will matches its looks—it's bold. They aren't as aggressive as some of the mbuna species, but they certainly aren't pushovers.
Choosing the Right Neighbors
If you prefer a tranquil tank, don't blend them with shy fish like guppies or tetras. They'll just end up as an expensive treat. Instead, stick with some other Lake Malawi peacocks or "Haps" (Haplochromis).
A common strategy is definitely "overstocking. " This might sound counterintuitive, but with a higher density of fish, you can disseminate the hostility so no single fish gets bullied too hard. If you go this route, you must have over-filtration to handle the extra waste.
Staying away from the "No-Go" Areas
Try in order to avoid putting two OB peacocks that will look too similar in a little tank unless it's a very huge setup. They have a tendency to see similar-looking seafood as direct rivals. Also, be careful of keeping them with overly aggressive mbuna like Auratus or Demasoni. Individuals guys are like the schoolyard bullies of the lake and might stress out your peacock.
Breeding the Blueberry OB
If you end up with a man and a few females, don't end up being surprised if you see some mating behavior. The men will get incredibly bright and start "dancing" to entice females to the flat rock or even a pit they've dug in the particular sand.
Peacock cichlids are mouthbrooders . The feminine will pick up the ovum in her mouth, where they'll keep for about three weeks until they will fry are ready to swim upon their own. It's a pretty fascinating procedure to watch. If you're seriously interested in raising the particular fry, you may want to proceed the feminine to a separate "holding" container so the additional fish don't eat the babies the 2nd she lets them go.
Standard Challenges
Something to watch away for is "Malawi Bloat. " To describe it in caused by stress or even a poor diet plan (too much protein delete word enough fiber). If you notice your blueberry ob peacock cichlid stopped eating or has the swollen belly, you need to behave fast with aquarium tank salt or particular medications.
Another thing is color removal. If your fish looks washed out, it's usually one particular of three things: stress from a bully, poor water quality, or just a bad diet. Sometimes, if a person have two men, the "subdominant" male will dull their colors therefore the "alpha" doesn't see him as a threat.
Final Thoughts
The blueberry ob peacock cichlid is the rewarding fish for anyone who is prepared to put in a little effort into the tank's chemistry and maintenance. They're energetic, they're beautiful, plus they actually have quite a bit associated with personality. You'll see they start to recognize you when you walk up to the tank—mostly because these people think you're about to feed all of them, but it's nevertheless fun.
Simply because long as you give them plenty of room, keep the particular water clean, and pick their container mates wisely, they'll easily be the star of your aquarium tank for years in the future. There's just nothing at all quite like seeing a completely grown male catch the lighting and shimmer with those deep blueberry tones. Much more most that water hauling and glass scrubbing totally worth this.