Goldbreast zebra
Maylandia fainzilberi
Also known as Fainzilber's mbuna, Metriaclima fainzilberi, Pseudotropheus fainzilberi
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 5.1 in
- 13 cm
- Minimum tank
- 66 gal
- 250 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
Overview
The goldbreast zebra is a larger, lively and aggressive mbuna that works the lower water and rockwork. It is best with a little cichlid experience.
Did you know
The goldbreast zebra is named for Misha Fainzilber, a tropical fish dealer. He helped the German ichthyologist Wolfgang Staeck reach Lake Malawi to study its cichlids at first hand.
Caring for the goldbreast zebra
Keep goldbreast zebras as a group built around a single dominant male with several females, never rival males packed together. A group needs at least 66 gal (250 L), aquascaped with heavy stonework. Stack plenty of rock into caves and territories over a sand floor, with open water above.
Keep the water hard and alkaline at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Run strong filtration to match a rock cichlid's appetite and mess. Feed a vegetable-leaning diet of spirulina flake, pellets and greens, with only modest protein.
Goldbreast zebras are territorial, so choose other robust mbuna of similar temperament as tank mates. A busy tank spreads the aggression out.
As in many mbuna, the sexes look different. Males are barred blue, and in some populations the females carry orange blotches. The female is a maternal mouthbrooder and holds the eggs and fry in her mouth until they can swim free. With a settled harem, breeding is a moderate undertaking.
Good to know
The goldbreast zebra, Maylandia fainzilberi, is a zebra-type mbuna in the family Cichlidae.
In the wild
Maylandia fainzilberi lives among the rocky habitats of Lake Malawi. It patrols the boulders there and grazes the algae film that coats them.
Common questions
What size tank does a goldbreast zebra need?
A goldbreast zebra needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a goldbreast zebra need?
A goldbreast zebra is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
What does a goldbreast zebra eat?
A goldbreast zebra eats a vegetable-leaning diet of spirulina flake, pellets and greens, with only modest protein.
How big does a goldbreast zebra get?
An adult goldbreast zebra reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).
How can you tell a male goldbreast zebra from a female?
Males are barred blue. In some populations, the females carry orange blotches.
How does a goldbreast zebra breed?
Goldbreast zebras are maternal mouthbrooders, and the female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth until they can swim free. With a settled harem, breeding is a moderate undertaking.
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