Peacocks/Haps

[bmarine]

I have a standard 55g tank with 6 victorian cichlids in it, and I'm looking to get some peacocks and/or haps to put in there (maybe to breed). The victorians are mildly aggressive (they did well with mbunas) so I'm looking for some peacocks/haps that can hold their own. Any ideas?

[GVsailor]

I have had jacobfreibergi, red empress, protomelas kirkii, and several other haps do well with Vics.  What species of Victorians is it?

[bmarine]

They are mbipia cf. luteas....and they are about an inch to 2 inches long

[four_by_ken]

I have had to take every Victorian I have had out of my peacock tank because of bullying.

Caused all the peacocks to stress and loose color.

But they are doing find with my mbuna

[GVsailor]

When I had the Mbipia cf Lutea I had them with protomelas spilonotus, a lemon jake, and a few others.  I didn't have any problems other than when they were spawning, but even then they were ok.  It's possible that I was the one who bred yours, and if so their parents where very very relaxed. 

[bmarine]

Gotcha, i actually bought the parents at an auction as a breeding trio, and these six are actually ones I bred myself, but its possible I got the parents from you! Would it be better for the peacocks if I got them all bigger than the luteas?

[GVsailor]

I think I remember that trio.  They are an awesome fish. 

I would get larger haps or peacocks and just watch them.  With mine it depended on the individual fish. 

[bmarine]

Gotcha, sounds good! did you sell them at the GVAC auction? The person I bought them from gave me a deal on them because one of the females was dying. Do you remember that?

Also, random question, whats the difference between peacocks and haps?

[GVsailor]

I did sell some there.  I think that the trio you for is one is sold to a club member as juvies.  He raised them up and then sold them to you I believe.  All the ones in GVAC were descended from a group I had at one point. 

Peacocks are members of the genus Aulonocara, and are called such for their colors.   Haps are members of the group called haplochromines, which originated from the holding genus of haplochromis, where many members where put while being re evaluated.  They are from many other genus.   I am sure someone else on here with more knowledge can give a better definition than that. 

[bmarine]

Gotcha. Cool! And thanks! So if I kept those 6 luteas, how many peacocks/haps could i put in there with them?

[Regalblue]

To add to the peacocks vs Haps question.....  Peacocks are haps, which all belong to the genus Aulonocara.  So they basically are a specialized groups of Haps which all exhibit similar behaviors & traits. As Justin said the Peacock label comes from their bright  coloration.

[bmarine]

Ohhh ok. So if I just say haps-that includes peacocks then? Oh and by the way, I got that mbipia cf. lutea trio from a guy named Steven, do you know him?

[GVsailor]

No, haps does not generally include peacocks, at least to me.  They are their own little group, but they are more similar than Mbuna. 

Yup, Steven is the guy I sold fry to who grew them out. 

[bmarine]

Oh ok. I think I kinda get it. And gotcha, cool! You still breed luteas then?

[Marty]

No, haps does not generally include peacocks, at least to me.  They are their own little group, but they are more similar than Mbuna. 
Yup, Steven is the guy I sold fry to who grew them out.

Aulonocara are generally considered "haplochromines" which are part of the sub family of pseudocrenilabrinae and part of the tribe haplochromini.  So, they are not haplochromis, which is a different genus, but they are haplochromines.

Here's a quick breakdown that might make a little more sense.

They are part of the family:  cichlidae
part of the subfamily:  pseudocrenilabrinae
part of the tribe:  haplochromini (aka haplochromine)
part of the genus:  aulonocara