![]() ![]() ![]() They require quite hard water with a pH of 8.0 - 9.0 and will do good with a temperature between 72 - 82☏ (22-28☌) The zebra cichlids adult size is 6 inches (15 cm) and they normally live for about 5 - 10 years in captivity. The minimum tank size recommended for them is 50 gallons (180 liters). The scientific name for the Red Zebra is Pseudotropheus estherae and the common zebra cichlid is Pseudotropheus zebra. ![]() Seven or eight blue/black bars run across the body and generally in this color variety the bottom part of the face is black as well. ![]() The ends of the anal and dorsal fins have yellow egg spots and in this species there are many color varieties, blue being amongst the most common. The rear parts of the dorsal fin and anal fins are elongated and pointed on the Zebra Cichlid. This thick cichlid has a swelled forehead and with a tall tail fin. The Cobalt Blue should be fed foods rich in vegetable matter such as flake, pellet and leafy seaweeds.The zebra cichlid also known as the Malawi blue or Malawi zebra cichlid and it originates from East Africa in the Lake Malawi. The entire process is quite stressful for the female, so a separate tank for her during this period is recommended. Once the fry are able to fend for themselves, the female stops allowing them in her mouth. During this period, the female rarely eats. After that, the fry will seek safety by retreating into the female’s mouth for up to a month. The process is then repeated until the female has a brood of between 10 and 50 eggs in her mouth.Īfter spawning, the female Cobalt Blue Zebra keeps the eggs in her mouth for about a week until they hatch. The female nips at these eggs spots and the male releases his sperm, which then reaches the females mouth and fertilises the real eggs that she has previously picked up. These spots are the same size and color as the real eggs. Meanwhile the male displays the “egg spots” on his anal fin. The female Cobalt Blue Zebra then releases a couple of eggs into a gravel pit. A female that is ready to spawn will then enter the territory and the two will interact aggressively. The male Cobalt Blue Zebra will establish a territory and its colors will become enhanced when it is ready to breed. The Cobalt Blue Zebra is a mouth brooder and the spawning process is intriguing. Mbunas enjoy plants, but will uproot them because they constantly rearrange the substrate.Ī male Cobalt Blue Zebra should be kept with several females. An aragonite based substrate or coral sand is ideal for these fish as it will also help to maintain the necessary high pH and alkalinity. There should be smooth surfaced gravel for them to pick up in their mouths and move. The tank should be 300 – 400 litres and should have rocks and hiding spaces to provide escape from aggression of other tankmates. An aragonite based substrate or coral sand is ideal for these fish as it will help to maintain the necessary high pH and alkalinity.Ī grouping including more than 10 mbunas is recommended as this will spread out aggressive behavior. The Cobalt Blue will do best in a cichlid community aquarium with numerous rocks and caves with a sandy bottom and plenty of places to set up territories. The Cobalt Blue Zebra Cichlid comes from the rocky shores of Lake Malawi, Africa. ![]()
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