Ice Blue Zebra care guide
Ice Blue Zebra (Maylandia greshakei) — minimum tank 300 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Maylandia greshakei (also known as Metriaclima greshakei or "Ice Blue Zebra") is a Lake Malawi mbuna with a pale ice-blue body and contrasting orange dorsal fin in males. Adults reach about 13 cm and originate from the Makanjila and Crocodile Rocks area of the southern lake.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Maylandia
- Scientific name: Maylandia greshakei
- Common synonyms: William's Mbuna, Metriaclima greshakei
Habitat
Endemic to the rocky shore (mbuna zone) of Lake Malawi in the African Rift Valley, where it lives over wave-washed boulder slopes. The lake is exceptionally hard and alkaline — pH 7.8-8.6, KH 6-15 — and warm year round. The species is highly site-attached and territorial males defend small rock caves.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L (79.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 11-13 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
In the wild it grazes the aufwuchs layer of algae, biofilm and associated micro-invertebrates that coats the rocks. In aquaria a vegetable-rich diet of spirulina and algae-based cichlid pellets, blanched vegetables and occasional frozen brine shrimp is appropriate; high-protein foods such as bloodworm should be avoided to prevent "Malawi bloat".
Compatibility
Aggressive and territorial; best kept in a large mbuna community with several other rock-dwelling species so that aggression is dispersed. A typical stocking is one male to several females (1:3-4). Avoid mixing with very different lake faunas (e.g., New World cichlids) and with similar-coloured congeners that may hybridise.
Breeding
A polygamous maternal mouthbrooder. The male defends a small rock territory, displays to passing females and entices each to spawn on a flat surface; the female collects the eggs into her mouth immediately and incubates them for about three weeks before releasing free-swimming fry.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: see species page. The Lake Malawi cichlid radiation has been intensively assessed; most mbuna are evaluated and many are categorised Least Concern, though species with restricted ranges along single sub-shores are more vulnerable.
Ice Blue Zebra (Maylandia greshakei) Breeding Guide
Overview
Maylandia greshakei is a rock-dwelling mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, where it occurs only at Makokola; it reaches about 13.4 cm total length and is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Like all mbuna it is a maternal mouthbrooder that breeds readily once a settled male and conditioned females are present, which makes it an achievable subject for an intermediate keeper.
Sexing
Males are far more colourful than females, developing the ice-blue body and bright dorsal that the species is named for, and they carry egg-shaped spots on the anal fin. Females are plainer; a holding female is recognised by her distended throat and her refusal to feed.
Conditioning
Condition the group on plenty of live and frozen foods to bring the females into spawning condition. Stable, hard alkaline water suits the species, with a pH around 8.2-8.5 and a temperature of roughly 25-27 degrees Celsius (77-80 degrees Fahrenheit) maintained during the breeding period.
Breeding Setup
An aquarium of around 120 cm (a 48-inch tank) is recommended, stocked as a harem of one male with at least three females to spread the male's attention. Provide flat stones and open areas of substrate to serve as spawning sites among the rockwork.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The male displays intensely and can be quite aggressive in his pursuit of females, which is why a harem is used to dissipate that aggression. The female lays her eggs on the chosen site and takes them into her mouth; she is drawn to the egg spots on the male's anal fin and, in attempting to gather them, the eggs are fertilised.
Egg & Fry Care
The female carries the brood in her mouth for up to three to four weeks before releasing the free-swimming fry, ceasing to feed throughout. The released fry are large enough to take brine shrimp nauplii from birth.
Common Challenges
The main difficulty is the male's aggression, which can stress or injure females if too few are present, so a generous harem in a large enough tank is essential. A stressed female may spit out or eat the brood prematurely, so holding females should not be disturbed; some breeders move them to a quiet holding tank, accepting that the move itself carries a risk of premature release.