Sulfurhead aulonocara | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cichliformes |
Family: | Cichlidae |
Genus: | Aulonocara |
Species: | A. maylandi
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Binomial name | |
Aulonocara maylandi
Trewavas, 1984
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The sulfurhead aulonocara (Aulonocara maylandi) or sulfurhead peacock is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi in the country of Malawi and has only been observed on West Reef (Luwala Reef) and Eccles Reef (Chimwalani Reef). [1] It is threatened by collection for the aquarium trade and this has caused a 70% reduction in numbers. [1] In this mouthbrooding species, the eggs are cared for by the females only, and it is found over mixed sand and rocky areas where they hunt small invertebrates in the sand. [2] It closely resembles the blue orchid aulonocara ( Aulonocara kandeense) though it develops a yellow blaze across its dorsal In the past these two taxa have been considered to be subspecies. [3] The specific name honours Hans-Joachim Mayland, an author on cichlids and a fishkeeper, brought the species to the attention of Ethelwynn Trewavas. [4]