Décor such as ocean rock can be used to build sturdy structures which stretch from the base of the tank to near the surface of the water. The aquarium should be at least 4ft long and aquascaped to emulate a rocky reef effect with some open expanses of sand. It belongs to the Mbuna group of cichlids. There are several natural colour forms, the vast majority of populations comprised of the standard blue male/red female combination, with red males estimated to represent only about 1% of the overall population. Red zebra cichlids are rather hardy and can tolerate less than ideal water conditions, but keepers should seek the conditions listed above in order for the red zebra to live a healthy, active life.Maylandia estherae has a lake wide distribution and prefers rocky habitats with dense biofilm cover. Like other cichlids, they thrive in waters that are between a pH of 7.5-8.5, hard 150–200 mg/l, and 72-82 degrees F (22-26 degrees C). High protein foods typically sold for cichlids are unnecessary for red zebras as they grow to their relatively small adult size quickly. They should not be fed live foods by their keeper or there will be a risk for bloating, which can prove fatal. The fish’s predominate food source is algae and other plant life when in its natural habitat of Lake Malawi, though those in aquariums will certainly eat typical cichlid foods, some vegetable greens, and small, freeze-dried aquatic fauna as a treat. Because the fish is so active in terms of “renovating” their aquariums with their mouths, keepers must make sure the substrate within red zebra aquariums is smooth and of high quality to avoid injury. One such example is to wall up secondary entrances to their favorite “dwelling” in an effort to make it more private.

Proficient in using their mouth as a tool, like most cichlids, red zebras will also pick up pebbles/rocks with their mouths for the purpose of “building” up areas they want covered up or elevated. Oftentimes, the red zebra will seek to maximize the size of their chosen “home” by creating a pit in the substrate underneath covered shelter. It is often a pointless exercise to undo the arrangements of a red zebra, as they will readily overrule the keeper by moving everything back into the arrangement they desire. This means keepers of red zebra cichlids often find their desired tank aesthetic slowly altered by this fish to maximize its comfort in the tank. This is a species known to “arrange” substrate pebbles, small plants, and other aquarium decor far more often than other aquarium fish. In addition, every keeper of the red zebra cichlid should be mindful of their preference for rocky terrain with numerous hiding places - for both smaller, weaker fish to seek shelter, and for the red zebra(s) to claim as their territory. One should exercise caution when selecting tank mates because even if one takes care to only house a red zebra with other cichlids, South American cichlids and African cichlids are often unable to share a community tank in peace (though it is completely within the realm of reason for an experienced aquarium keeper to make this work). Like any cichlid, it is recommended to house red zebra cichlids in rather large tanks with several other African cichlids. Like the other cichlids of this genus, they are best kept in a harem with one male to many females. The males are territorial over the areas they prefer and those who reach dominance in an aquarium will pick on subordinate males and behave territorially in general.

OB males (so called 'marmalade cats') are extremely rare in the wild.Įarly exporters often selected the red females for the aquarium trade and used O-morph males to create a strain of orange-red males, making it the most commonly found variant from breeders and fish keepers. O morph males (found only at Minos Reef) are white-pink colored with a tint of blue in the fins. However, red-orange females (O morph) as well as blotched females (OB morph) can be found in certain localities. The normal color of wild females is beige to brown while males are typically bright blue. Specifically, this species of freshwater tropical fish can be found along the eastern coast of the lake from Chilucha Reef near Metangula to Narungu.įemales can grow up to 10 cm (4 in) while males will grow up to 12.7 cm (5.0 in).ĭespite their 'red zebra' name, this species is polymorphic and can be found with different colors. Maylandia estherae is endemic to Lake Malawi. The specific name of this fish honours Esther Grant, the wife of the cichlid exporter Stuart M. Most ichthyological taxonomists place the species in Maylandia, though Ad Konings and thus much of the aquarium-related literature use Metriaclima instead. The genus name for this fish was once Pseudotropheus but that name is now restricted to different fish.

Red zebra cichlid size