Chilumba Zebra (Maylandia zebra) Care Guide
The Chilumba Zebra is a regional colour morph of Maylandia zebra, a rock-dwelling mbuna from Lake Malawi. It is an aggressive maternal mouthbrooder.
Overview
The Chilumba Zebra is a regional colour form of the rock-dwelling cichlid Maylandia zebra (mbuna) from the Chilumba area of Lake Malawi. Maylandia are brightly coloured, often strongly sexually dimorphic haplochromines, and the genus is one of the iconic mbuna lineages of the lake. Dominant males of this morph are blue with crisp black bars.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Maylandia (= Metriaclima)
- Scientific name: Maylandia zebra "Chilumba"
- Common synonyms: Maylandia zebra Chilumba
Habitat
Maylandia are rock-dwelling mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, less than about 20 cm in length. They inhabit the rocky littoral zone, where individual colour morphs are tied to particular locations along the shore.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Substrate: sand with abundant rockwork
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
The Chilumba Zebra is a herbivore. Mbuna graze algae and aufwuchs from rocks, so a vegetable-based diet suits it; excess animal protein can cause digestive problems.
Compatibility
This is an aggressive, territorial mbuna for committed keepers. Suitable companions include Synodontis petricola, Synodontis multipunctatus and other mbuna of similar aggression. Gentle fish such as Discus, angelfish, tetras, Apistogramma and rams, as well as peaceful mbuna, should be avoided.
Breeding
Maylandia practise maternal mouthbrooding; the female incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth.