This fish enjoys an environment with rocks and caves for hiding places and plenty of vegetation to provide natural food sources. Mbuna cichlid is a peaceful species that prefers to swim in groups of five or more individuals. They eat vegetation such as algae and weeds, but also eat insects such as flies. Males are larger than females, reaching up to eight inches long whereas female reaches only about five inches long. Mbuna cichlid has a dark blue base color with white to yellow colors along its body. This species is typically found in crevices or caves and can be seen working as cleaners for other fish. This species can be found in Lake Malawi, Africa where they live primarily in rocky habitats with an abundance of vegetation. Mbuna cichlid has a common name of “mbuna” in its native land and is often referred to as zebra mbuna or black diamond cichlid. They will do well in a community tank with other peaceful fish. Make sure you have enough room in your tank for them to swim around and avoid putting them with smaller fish. They are a great choice for an aquarium, but they can be aggressive towards other fish. They have unique mouths that allow them to pick up rocks and feed on the algae that grow on them. They are known for their bright colors and interesting behavior which makes them a popular choice among aquarium hobbyists. Mbuna cichlids are found in the rocky areas of Lake Malawi, where many mbunas can be seen at one time. It means “rockfish” in the local African language Nyasa (Mboja). Mbunas get their name from Lake Malawi where they were first discovered. They are available in different colors like blue, purple, red, or orange. The mbuna cichlid is one of the most popular aquarium fish in the world, and they are found in many pet shops. One male kept with 5-7 females provides the best chances for these mouthbrooders to display their matriarchal family behaviors.Last updated on September 24th, 2022 at 09:04 am Once the territory and dominance have been established, Red Zebras are quite easy to breed. Using smooth pebbles as substrate is a fantastic choice for a Red Zebra tank, as they will rearrange your carefully thought out aquascape to their liking as they establish themselves. These fish can be kept with Synodontis catfish and, of course, other Red Zebras. They require rocky surroundings in their tanks, with plenty of places for the less dominant fish to hide, as Red Zebras are moderately agressive and will establish territory with a pecking order. Red Zebras can grow up 5 inches long and live for 10-12 years if properly cared for.Īs representatives of the mbuna cichlid family, Red Zebras like an aquarium of 50-75 gallons with a slightly higher pH of 7.6-8.6 and a temperature of at least 78 degrees. Red Zebras are a beautiful orange-red color with faint traces of blue on their scales and yellow spots freckling their dorsal and anal fins unlike most other mbuna, the females usually display richer colors than the males. Also known as the Orange Zebra Cichlid, this fish is one of the most commonly kept specimens of the mbuna (rock dwelling) cichlid family due to its bright coloration and classic African cichlid personality. We at Centreville Aquarium have our vision set on the Eastern African Lake Malawi, home to our May Fish of the Month: the Red Zebra Cichlid(Metriaclima estherae). The warmer weather that we have all been waiting for is finally here, bringing visions of days spent by the lake.
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