Aulonocara

"Frontal, nasal, orbital, preopercular and mandibular bones with large canals with wide openings, as in Trematocara, from which Aulonocara can be distinguished externally by bicuspid outer teeth, more numerous dorsal spines, and the presence of two lateral lines."

— Regan (translation from the original English) The freshwater fish of the genus Aulonocara, often referred to as peacock cichlids, are endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, located on the African Rift. These fish practice maternal buccal incubation, protecting both eggs and fry in their mouth. The genus Aulonocara is distinguished by a very pronounced sexual dimorphism, even compared to other Haplochromines, with males and females displaying bright and contrasting colors. Aulonocara generally reach a size between 8 and 18 centimeters. Their morphology is characterized by a compact and muscular body, sometimes with a nuchal hump on the head. The caudal peduncle is elongated, and the caudal fin is delta-shaped. The dorsal fin, although long, is not very high, and its extremities are elongated and pointed, as are those of the caudal fin. The ventral fins are also pointed, while the pectoral fins are large and elongated. The dominant colors of their livery include blue and yellow in many species. A notable feature of the genus is the presence of numerous small sensory pores on top of the head, which allow detection of pressure variations, helping in orientation and food search in sandy soil.