Photo: Klaus Rudloff, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Zebra mbuna
Maylandia zebra
15 cm
Adult size
250 L
Minimum volume
4
Minimum group
12 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Maylandia
- Diet
- herbivore
- Social life
- harem
In the wild
Overview
The Malawi zebra, blue barred with black in the male, is one of the most aggressive mbuna and is in no way suited to a classic tropical tank. A maternal mouthbrooder, it breeds best in a species tank, as a harem of one male to at least three females.
- Scientific name
- Maylandia zebra (Boulenger, 1899)
- Classification
- Cichliformes › Cichlidae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Endemic to Lake Malawi (Malawi), including Likoma and Chizumulu islands
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It lives in the lake's rocky areas, at varying depths around shores, reefs and islands. It combs algae and biofilm deposits from the rocks and also feeds on plankton in open water.
Behaviour
It suits most mbuna tanks, but not with gentle species such as Aulonocara. Three females per male, and a single male in a tank of under 200 L, to spread out aggression. Plant matter (spirulina, spinach, nori) should form the basis of its diet, with little protein. Sensitive to water quality: flawless filtration and maintenance.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth