All fish / Cichlidae

Cobalt Blue Zebra Mbuna

Maylandia cyneusmarginata

Also known as metriaclima cyneusmarginata, pseudotropheus cyneusmarginata, cyneusmarginata, zebra chilumba, metriaclima sp. 'zebra chilumba', maylandia cyaneomarginata

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This is a rock-dwelling mbuna from Lake Malawi in the zebra group. Males are powder blue with dark bars and a pale or blue-edged dorsal fin, and females tend to be duller. Keepers like it for its bright colour and active behaviour on rockwork in a Malawi tank.

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: algae-based flakes and pellets, spirulina, some vegetable matter; avoid much rich meaty food

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Tanzania, Mozambique shores)

Breeding

It is a maternal mouthbrooder. Males show off over a cave or flat rock, then the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks. Breeding is easy in a well-kept group.

Good to know

Males are territorial and harsh towards rivals and similar blue zebras, so give plenty of rockwork and keep extra females. Do not keep it with other Maylandia zebra types, because they can hybridise.