All fish / Cichlidae

Red Top Zebra Nkhata Bay

Maylandia pyrsonotos

Also known as red top zebra, pyrsonotos, metriaclima pyrsonotos, pseudotropheus pyrsonotos, red dorsal zebra, nakantenga zebra, red top mbuna, 红背斑马

This is a small mbuna from Lake Malawi. Males are pale blue with dark vertical bars and a striking red-orange dorsal fin, and females are a duller brownish colour. People keep it for its bright colours and lively rock-dwelling behaviour in Malawi set-ups.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females in a crowded mbuna tank

Diet

Omnivore: mainly algae-based foods such as spirulina flakes and pellets, with a small amount of small crustaceans

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Nakantenga Island, Malawi)

Breeding

It is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks. It breeds readily in captivity if kept in hard, alkaline water with plenty of rockwork.

Good to know

Males are territorial and can be aggressive, so keep several females with each male and avoid mixing it with similar barred mbuna, as they may hybridise. Too much protein in the diet can cause Malawi bloat.