Dragon Blood
Dragon Blood is a line-bred peacock strain valued for bold orange, red, and pink color potential. It is a bright display fish for Lake Malawi peacock and hap aquariums where tank mates are active but not overly aggressive.
Origin and Habitat
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Native Region: Line-bred aquarium strain from Lake Malawi peacock stock.
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Natural Habitat: Aquarium strain; provide a Malawi-style setup with sand, open space, and rockwork.
Physical Characteristics
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Size: Up to about 7 inches.
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Coloration: Dragon Blood strains can show orange, red, pink, or related warm color tones; males generally show the strongest color.
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Body Shape: Medium peacock body with a laterally compressed profile.
Behavior and Temperament
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Temperament: Mildly aggressive.
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Social Behavior: Best kept with other peacocks and similarly tempered Lake Malawi haps.
Aquarium Care
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Tank Size: A 55 gallon aquarium or larger is recommended.
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Water Parameters: pH 7.4-8.4, hard water.
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Tank Setup: Provide sand, open swimming room, rockwork for cover and sight breaks, and stable filtration.
Diet and Feeding
Breeding
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Breeding Type: Maternal mouthbrooder.
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Breeding Notes: Males display to females and may defend preferred areas. Females hold eggs and fry in the mouth, and fry should be protected after release.
Tank Mates
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Compatible With: Lake Malawi peacocks and peaceful to moderately assertive haps.
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Avoid: Very aggressive mbuna, large predators, and small community fish.
