![]() This species is a rooter and will dig up the vegetative matter, leaving you with torn plants that can clog aquarium filters. Plants are generally not a good idea for a Zebra Cichlid aquarium. If you start your tank with juvenile fish, size the caverns for adult fish so you will not have to rearrange the décor continually. Planning caverns to hold fish that large will make it easier to maintain your aquarium without drastic changes over the long term.īuilding a few separate territories can make lovely tank displays and help keep your Zebra Cichlid out of each other’s zones. The Zebra Cichlid size ranges up to nearly 8 inches. If you plan to keep more than a few Zebra Cichlid, try to arrange the rocks and caverns to minimize the line of sight between them to limit eye contact and aggression. Consider a 48 inch or 50-gallon aquarium the minimum size with an ideal size up to 250 gallons.Īs their native habitat is rock and cave based, setting a good base of gravel with lots of larger rocks arranged to make caves will help them feel at home. If well cared for, the Zebra Cichlid lifespan can be as long as 10 years.īecause of their aggressive nature to other fish species and even to other Zebra Cichlid, this species requires a massive tank design to encourage separate territories. Both have fins close to the body but are mighty swimmers. Females can be muted in color and have more round body shapes. The males tend to be larger, more colorful, and more aggressive. The rear edge of the Dorsal fin has a row of less distinct spots as well. These spots become significant at mating time. The soft, rayed part of the Anal fin has four orange egg spots. This ability to change color is known as polychromatism. Both the species’ males and females can morph into vibrant blues, yellows and reds or the blue-on-blue striped patterns that give its distinctive name. These fish are called the Orange Zebra Cichlid, Orange African Cichlid, or Orange Cichlid fish and are quite beautiful. In the United States, the species has been bred to produce a male of a bright red and orange hue in particular. In Lake Malawi, the male Zebra Cichlid is usually a beautiful bright blue. They are primarily solitary and use their strong jaws to feed on algae, small insects, or crustaceans. They live in the caverns and small caves created by large rocks jumbled together. Zebra Cichlid can be found in highly rocky areas around small islands or rocky outcroppings surrounded by sand. They are a classification of cichlid known as Mbuna or rock-dwelling from their native habitat of the deeper, rocky waters of Lake Malawi in east Africa. Zebra Cichlid is a species with an affinity for rocky tanks and low vegetation. ![]() This article will help you understand Zebra Cichlid care, maintenance, and breeding. This species is also known as the Orange African Cichlid, one of the first African fish imported for fish keeping. The Zebra Cichlid or Metriaclima callainos is a beautiful freshwater species unique to Lake Malawi, one of Africa’s Great Rift lakes.
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