Red zebra

Quick facts

Adult size

12 cm

Lifespan

can live up to 10 years

Tank zone

all

Temperament

aggressive

Difficulty

intermediate

Water parameters

Temperature

24–28°C

pH

7.5 to 8.5

Hardness

10 to 25 dGH

Tank requirements

Minimum volume

250 L

Minimum length

120 cm

Flow

moderate

Lighting

any

Substrate

sand

Hiding spots

needed

Open swimming room

needed

Feeding

Diet: herbivore, feeds primarily at the all.

Herbivore-leaning omnivore. Spirulina flake and pellets as the staple. Blanched vegetables (peas, zucchini, spinach) and nori as supplements. Frozen brine shrimp and mysis occasionally. Avoid bloodworm (bloat risk). Feed 2-3 times daily in small amounts. The orange coloring benefits from food containing astaxanthin or other carotenoid pigments.

Vegetable matter required (algae wafers, blanched zucchini, spinach).

Compatibility

• Moderately aggressive Mbuna that's slightly calmer than demasoni and Melanochromis species but still too aggressive for a standard community tank. Keep with other Mbuna of comparable size and temperament.
• Standard Mbuna stocking: 1 male to 3-4 females in a group of 8-12. Overstocking with rock cover to break sightlines. One male dominates and the females establish their own pecking order.
• Despite the common name, the most popular color morph is solid orange. The "zebra" in the name refers to the original description of the species which included barred morphs. Stores often sell orange, red-orange, and albino variants all as "red zebra."
• Hybridizes with other Metriaclima/Maylandia species, so avoid keeping with closely related species if purity matters.

Habitat

Endemic to Lake Malawi, found in the rocky littoral zone. The species (Maylandia estherae, previously Metriaclima estherae, previously Pseudotropheus estherae) has gone through several taxonomic revisions and the correct genus name remains debated in the cichlid community. Wild populations are found around Minos Reef and nearby rocky areas in Mozambican waters. Males in the wild are typically blue; females are orange-red. In the hobby, the orange morph (OB morph) has been preferentially bred and is now the dominant form in stores. Adults reach 10–12 cm. The species is one of the core Mbuna recommended for beginners because it's colorful, hardy, breeds easily, and is less aggressive than species like demasoni or auratus. Commercially bred in massive numbers worldwide.

Breeding

Maternal mouthbrooder. The male establishes a territory on a flat rock and courts passing females with lateral displays and quivering. Spawning follows the standard Mbuna egg-spot mechanism. Clutch size is 15-30 eggs. Female incubates for 18-21 days. Fry are released at about 10–12 mm and immediately eat crushed flake and spirulina. In a Mbuna community tank, some fry survive in rock crevices. Red zebras are prolific breeders; a healthy group produces new broods continuously.

Common problems

Malawi bloat, the universal Mbuna concern. Prevention through diet and water quality is far more effective than treatment. Aggression management through proper stocking density. Hybridization with other Metriaclima species produces offspring that are difficult to identify and trade. The color morph confusion means keepers sometimes get a mix of orange, blue, and OB (orange-blotch) fish sold as "red zebra" that may be hybrids or different species entirely. If purity matters, buy from a specialized cichlid breeder rather than a general fish store.

Bioload

Bioload coefficient: 4.0 (moderately heavy for its size; mbuna eat constantly and produce waste to match).

Bioload coefficients are calibrated against the neon tetra as the anchor (1.0). See the methodology page for the formula and how each value was derived.

Further reading

• Stocking ideas by tank size