Zebra Mbuna (Maylandia zebra) Care Guide
Maylandia zebra is the original 'zebra' mbuna of Lake Malawi, an algae-grazing cichlid reaching about 11 cm with many colour morphs.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Maylandia zebra is a rock-dwelling mbuna cichlid of Lake Malawi, described by Boulenger in 1899. It is the original 'zebra' of the lake, with the wild type showing blue-and-black vertical bars and numerous local colour morphs. It is also known under the synonyms Pseudotropheus zebra and Metriaclima zebra.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Maylandia
- Scientific name: Maylandia zebra
- Synonyms: Pseudotropheus zebra, Metriaclima zebra
Habitat
The species is endemic to Lake Malawi, including Likoma and Chizumulu Islands. It inhabits rocky areas at depths of about 6-28 m. Males show regional colour variation, while females occur in two morphs (pale brownish-grey and dark with blue highlights).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
- Substrate: sand with extensive rockwork
Diet
The species primarily consumes aufwuchs, the algae-based community of organisms adhering to rock surfaces, supplemented with zooplankton and small invertebrates. It feeds by pressing its mouth against rocks and repeatedly opening and closing it to comb loose material. A vegetable-based diet is appropriate.
Compatibility
It is an aggressive, territorial mbuna. It should be kept with other mbuna of similar aggression and with rift-lake catfishes such as Synodontis multipunctatus. Peaceful and soft-water species such as discus, angelfish, tetras, Apistogramma and rams are unsuitable.
Breeding
It is a maternal mouthbrooder; the female broods the eggs for roughly 18-24 days. FishBase reports up to about 60 eggs per spawn. Research indicates that males' mate preferences are influenced by their mother's coloration.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018).
Breeding Maylandia zebra (Malawi Zebra)
Overview
Maylandia zebra (also written Metriaclima zebra) is the wild-type 'zebra' mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, occurring in rocky areas at depths of about 6-28 m (Wikipedia). It is a maternal mouthbrooding cichlid that largely feeds on aufwuchs, the algae-based community on rock surfaces (Wikipedia). Many local colour morphs exist.
Sexing
Males have bright blue bodies with up to eight grey/black bars and either a dark or a blue head depending on form, while females occur in two morphs: a pale brownish-grey type and a dark brown to black type with blue highlights (Wikipedia). Mature dominant males show the strongest blue colour.
Conditioning
FishBase records 22-28 °C and a high pH around 8.0 for the species, reflecting Lake Malawi's hard, alkaline water. Feed an aufwuchs-style, vegetable-rich omnivorous diet plus zooplankton and small invertebrates, as taken in the wild (Wikipedia).
Breeding Setup
Provide rockwork for territories and a sand substrate. As a territorial mbuna, stocking a dominant male with several females (harem) spreads aggression. Hard, alkaline, warm water within the documented range supports spawning.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Spawning follows the maternal mouthbrooding pattern; the female produces up to about 60 eggs (FishBase). Research notes that a male's preference in mate colour is best predicted by the colour morph of his mother (Wikipedia), highlighting the role of female colour morphs in mate choice.
Egg & Fry Care
The female incubates the eggs and young in her mouth for 18 to 24 days, during which she does not feed and loses weight; once sufficiently developed, the fry are expelled into open water and quickly find shelter (Wikipedia). Released fry accept fine first foods.
Common Challenges
Aggression and the need for hard alkaline water are the main considerations; brooding females may be moved to a separate space so they are not harassed while fasting. Avoid mixing with delicate community fish.