Cobalt Zebra, also known as Cobalt Blue Mbuna or Cobalt Blue Zebra Cichlid, has the scientific name Maylandia callainos.
This fish is originally from Lake Malawi and was mainly found in Nkhata Bay. But now it’s found in other areas too. This fish is popular in the aquarium trade.
Cobalt Zebra was previously scientifically known as Pseudotropheus callainos and is frequently cited by that name in scientific literature.
Cobalt Zebra Interesting Facts
- Cobalt Zebra, also known as Cobalt Blue Zebra Cichlid, originates from Nkhata Bay in Lake Malawi, Africa.
- This fish prefers water with a pH of 7.5 to 8.3 and temperatures between 75°F to 79°F (24°C to 26°C).
- It grows up to 3.1 inches (8.0 centimeters) long with 17 to 18 dorsal spines and 8 to 9 soft rays on its dorsal fin.
- Previously named Pseudotropheus callainos, it can be found in research papers under this name.
Cobalt Zebra Habitat
Cobalt Zebra is from Nkhata Bay in Lake Malawi, Africa. It has also been introduced to Likoma, Namalenje, and Thumbi West islands.
It lives in freshwater and swims near the bottom (benthopelagic).
The ideal water conditions include a pH of 7.5 to 8.3, a hardness (dH) of 5 to 30, and temperature between 75°F to 79°F (24°C to 26°C).
This fish is found at depths of 10 to 13 feet (3 to 4 meters) in tropical regions.
| Water Temperature: | 75°F to 79°F (24°C to 26°C) |
| Water pH: | 7.5 to 8.3 pH |
| Water Hardness: | 5 to 30 dH |
Cobalt Zebra Physical Characteristics
Size: 3.1 inches (8.0 centimeters)
Cobalt Zebra grows up to 3.1 inches (8.0 centimeters) long.
It has 17 to 18 dorsal spines and 8 to 9 soft rays on its dorsal fin. The anal fin consists of 3 spines and 7 to 8 soft rays.
It also has 11 to 12 gill rakers on the first ceratobranchial bone and 1 to 3 gill rakers on the first epibranchial bone.
Cobalt Zebra Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Maylandia |
| Scientific Name: | Maylandia callainos |
| Also Known As: | Cobalt Zebra, Cobalt Blue Mbuna, Cobalt Blue Zebra Cichlid |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |