All fish / Cichlidae

Gold Zebra Mbuna

Maylandia chrysomallos

Also known as chrysomallos, pseudotropheus chrysomallos, metriaclima chrysomallos, undu reef zebra, gold mbuna, maylandia chrysomallos undu reef

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A rock-dwelling mbuna from Lake Malawi in which many fish, especially females, show an orange-gold base blotched with black, while some males are blue and barred like a typical zebra mbuna. Keepers value it for its unusual blotched colouring and lively behaviour in rocky Malawi set-ups.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females, in a crowded mbuna community

Diet

Herbivore: spirulina flakes and pellets, algae, with small amounts of crustacean foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Mozambique), Undu Reef and nearby

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder; the female carries eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks. It breeds readily in a well-kept Malawi tank with suitable rockwork.

Good to know

Males are territorial and hard on rivals, so give plenty of rockwork and avoid keeping with peaceful fish. Do not mix with other Maylandia zebra-group species, as they hybridise easily.