Red Zebra Cichlid, also known as Red Zebra Mbuna or Esther Grant’s Zebra, is a haplochromine cichlid. It lives in rocky areas in Lake Malawi.
Male Red Zebra Cichlids are territorial and feed on algae. Maintaining a proper male-to-female ratio is recommended when keeping these fish in an aquarium.
The minimum recommended tank size is 120 cm (or around 47 inches).
Red Zebra Cichlid Interesting Facts
- Red Zebra Cichlids are mouthbrooders, with females carrying eggs and fry in their mouths for about 21 days.
- Males are territorial, and the fish primarily eat algae in their natural habitat.
- Native to Africa, they live in freshwater environments at depths up to 10 meters and thrive in tropical conditions.
- These fish exhibit sexual dimorphism: males are light blue, while females are brown-beige or orange-red.
Red Zebra Cichlid Habitat
Red Zebra Cichlid is found in Africa, specifically Mozambique.
It lives in freshwater environments near the bottom (demersal) and typically stays at depths up to 10 meters. This fish thrives in tropical conditions.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Red Zebra Cichlid Physical Characteristics
Size: 3.1 inches (7.9 centimeters)
Male Red Zebra Cichlid grows up to 3.1 inches (7.9 centimeters) long, while females reach around 2.5 inches (6.3 centimeters).
This fish has 16 to 17 dorsal spines and 9 to 10 dorsal soft rays on its back fin, as well as 3 anal spines and 8 anal soft rays on its bottom fin.
Male Red Zebra Cichlids are light blue, while females are brown-beige or orange-red. They don’t have wide vertical stripes on their bodies.
Red Zebra Cichlid Reproduction
Red Zebra Cichlids are mouthbrooders, meaning the females hold their fertilized eggs and baby fish in their mouths for about 21 days before releasing them.
Red Zebra Cichlid Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Maylandia |
| Scientific Name: | Metriaclima estherae |
| Also Known As: | Red Zebra Cichlid, Red Zebra Mbuna, Esther Grant’s Zebra |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |