Cobalt Blue Zebra Care Guide
Maylandia callainos is an intensely blue mbuna cichlid from Lake Malawi, where both sexes show the same cobalt coloration.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The cobalt blue zebra (Maylandia callainos) is an mbuna cichlid from Lake Malawi, described as Pseudotropheus callainos by Stauffer & Hert in 1992. Both males and females display an intense cobalt-blue coloration. It is a typical rock-dwelling mbuna.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Maylandia
- Scientific name: Maylandia callainos
- Synonyms: Pseudotropheus callainos; Metriaclima callainos (Stauffer & Hert, 1992)
Habitat
The species was originally endemic to Nkhata Bay in Lake Malawi and has since been introduced to other locations including Likoma, Namalenje and Thumbi West islands. FishBase reports it occurring at depths of about 3-4 metres over rocky habitat.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (record); FishBase reports 24-26 °C
- pH: 7.5-8.5 (FishBase: 7.5-8.3)
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Maximum size: about 8 cm SL (FishBase)
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
Maylandia callainos is primarily herbivorous, with a FishBase trophic level of about 2.3. Like other mbuna it grazes on the aufwuchs (algae and associated microfauna) covering rocks, so a vegetable-based diet suits it best.
Compatibility
It is a territorial, aggressive mbuna best kept with other robust mbuna rather than milder peacocks or small fish. The record lists Synodontis and bristlenose plecos as suitable tankmates. Plenty of rockwork helps spread aggression.
Breeding
It is a maternal mouthbrooder; the female incubates eggs and fry in her mouth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
Cobalt Blue Zebra Breeding Guide
Overview
Maylandia callainos, formally named Pseudotropheus callainos, is an mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, occurring naturally at Nkhata Bay though now introduced elsewhere. It reaches about 8 cm SL. As an mbuna it is a maternal mouthbrooder that breeds readily in good conditions.
Sexing
Both sexes display the intense cobalt blue colour, so sexing is not as obvious as in dichromatic species. As with other mbuna, a dominant male maintains a territory and only allows females into it for breeding, which helps identify the male behaviourally.
Breeding Setup
Provide rockwork forming caves and territories. All Lake Malawi species thrive in the range 25-29 °C (77-84 °F) with pH 7.5-8.4 and near-zero ammonia and nitrite. Overcrowding helps spread out the aggression caused by territorial conflicts, so a group with several females per male works best.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Mbuna are maternal mouthbrooders and breed readily in good conditions. A dominant male keeps a spherical territory and only allows females in to breed; the female lays eggs, takes them into her mouth and they are fertilised. Stable, clean, warm hard water is the main trigger.
Egg & Fry Care
The female incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth for a few weeks before releasing free-swimming young. The fry are large enough to take crushed flake and brine shrimp nauplii; rearing them away from adults improves survival.