|
|
| |
| Pseudotropheus zebra (the Zebra Mbuna) |
| Family: |
Cichlidae |
| Maximum Size: |
5.0" (11.3cm) |
| Distribution: |
Native to Lake Malawi, where it occurs on the northwestern coast, Jalo Reef, the Namalenje Islands, Cape Maclear, Monkey Bay, Boadzulu Islands, Nkopola. In the eastern half of the lake, it occurs at Fort Maguire, Masinje on Likoma, and the Chisumulu Islands |
| Temperature Range: |
72-82oF (22-28oC) |
| pH Range: |
8.0 to 8.5 |
| Water Hardness: |
9.0 to 19.0 dH |
 Pseudotropheus zebra is one of the most widely available and popular cichlids in the aquarium trade. They are sold under a variety of names, including "blue zebra", "red zebra" (pictured), and "assorted" african cichlids. These fish are on the small side for cichlids, but they are definitely as aggressive as many of the larger species. Territorial by nature, they require extensive caves and rockwork to be comfortable. Without adequate rockwork they have no territory to defend and will eventually become stressed and prone to disease. Feed them a mixed diet of protein and vegetable matter. They are not normally finickey eaters. Like many other Mbuna species, there is sexual dimorphism in P. zebra. The anal fins of males have several colored "egg spots" surrounded by a clear margin. Females have no such spots. The female deposits the eggs on the substrate, then scoops them up in her mouth where she will hold the eggs until the hatch. During spawning, the male will contort is body so that the egg spots appear to be eggs laying on the substrate. When the female tries to scoop up the "eggs", the male releases his semen and fertilizes the eggs in the female's mouth. |
| Back to the Cichlidae Family page |
| |
|
|
|
|
