All fish / Cichlidae

Red Zebra Cichlid

Maylandia estherae

Also known as red zebra, esthers cichlid, estherae, metriaclima estherae, pseudotropheus estherae, orange zebra, ob red zebra, blue red zebra, red-red zebra, pseudotropheus zebra red, ปลาหมอเรดซีบร้า, レッドゼブラ

A mbuna from the rocky shores of Lake Malawi, usually seen in bright orange-red, though males in some forms are pale blue and OB mottled types exist. It is popular for its strong colour, hardiness and lively behaviour in rock-filled African cichlid tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.5 to 8.6

Smallest tank

250 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females in a crowded Malawi community

Diet

Herbivore: spirulina flakes and pellets, algae, vegetable-based foods with occasional small crustaceans

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Mozambique and Malawi coasts), East Africa

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder: the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks. It breeds readily in captivity, and fry can be raised on crushed flake and baby brine shrimp.

Good to know

Males are territorial and can be very aggressive, so give plenty of rockwork and avoid keeping with peaceful fish. Avoid high-protein diets, which can cause Malawi bloat, and it hybridises easily with other Maylandia species.