Two of this species’ common names, Yellow Peacock and Sunshine Peacock, accurately describe the resplendent colors of males in full breeding condition. There are at least three different color morphs – the blue-yellow is the one that is bred most often. Females, however, are relatively drab.
This species was among the early mouthbrooders to be kept by aquarists, at a time when “eggspots” or “egg dummies” were still a novelty. It is perhaps not kept as widely these days owing to the numerous, more colorful, mouthbrooders that are now available. Eggspots are markings that are present on the male’s anal fin, and are thought to play an important role in reproduction. After the female has taken some of her eggs into her mouth, she pecks at the eggspots on the male’s anal fin as if they, too, were eggs. This action is believed to stimulate the male to release sperm, thus ensuring fertilization.
Hemichromis (Jewel Cichlids) are monomorphic open-broodingsubstrate spawners, highly territorial, and with piscivorous tendencies. In the wild they occur ina variety of biotopes from westernforests to Egyptian oases, and dowell in fairly neutral water incaptivity. A single pair per tank(minimum 1 m/36 in, wellplanted) is the rule, and even thenthey may fight.