Zebroides cichlid
Cynotilapia zebroides
Also known as Afra Cobue, Jalo Reef, Microchromis zebroides, Cobue afra
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 7.6–8.6
- Adult size
- 3.5 in
- 9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 30 gal
- 115 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Own kind
- One male per tank
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Rocky shorelines of Lake Malawi in East Africa.
Overview
The zebroides cichlid is an active, aggressive mbuna for a rocky Malawi tank with hard water. It is best with a little experience.
Caring for the Zebroides cichlid
Keep one male zebroides cichlid with several females in a rocky tank of at least 30 gal (115 L). Provide plenty of caves among the rocks.
Give it hard, alkaline water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.6 to 8.6. Feed a balanced diet with spirulina, plus some frozen plankton foods such as cyclops.
It is an active, nippy mbuna, so mix it with other assertive rock dwellers. Males are bright blue with dark bars, while females are plainer. Breeding is easy, but keep different site forms apart to avoid crossbreeding.
Good to know
The zebroides cichlid, Cynotilapia zebroides, was once placed in the genus Microchromis. It is separated from the true afra cichlid on small differences in form and teeth. Many fish sold as afra in the hobby are actually this species or its color forms. They are tagged by collecting site, such as Cobue and Jalo Reef.
In the wild
The zebroides cichlid is a small, rock-dwelling mbuna from Lake Malawi. It stays near rocky outcrops and feeds partly on plankton picked from the water just off the rocks.
Common questions
What size tank does a Zebroides cichlid need?
A Zebroides cichlid needs at least 30 gal (115 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Zebroides cichlid need?
A Zebroides cichlid is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.6–8.6.
What does a Zebroides cichlid eat?
A zebroides cichlid eats a balanced diet with spirulina, plus some frozen plankton foods such as cyclops.
How big does a Zebroides cichlid get?
An adult Zebroides cichlid reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).
How can you tell a male Zebroides cichlid from a female?
Male zebroides cichlids are bright blue with dark bars, while females are plainer.
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