Fainzilber's mbuna
Maylandia fainzilberi
Also known as Metriaclima fainzilberi, Pseudotropheus fainzilberi
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
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
This is a larger, lively mbuna, and like other zebra-type mbuna it is kept as a group built around a single dominant male with several females, never rival males packed together. It works the lower water and rockwork, grazing and squabbling. It is aggressive and territorial, so select tankmates carefully: other robust mbuna of similar temperament, in a busy tank that spreads the aggression out, and give it plenty of rock to divide into territories. Feed a vegetable-leaning diet, spirulina flake and pellets and greens, with only modest protein. A group needs a tank of at least 250 liters aquascaped with heavy stonework.
In the wild
Maylandia fainzilberi lives among the rocky habitats of Lake Malawi, patrolling the boulders and grazing the algae film that coats them. Recreate that with substantial rockwork stacked into caves and territories over a sand floor, and open water above. Keep the water hard and alkaline like the lake, around 24 to 28 C at a pH from 7.5 to 8.5, with strong filtration to match a rock cichlid's appetite and mess.
Good to know
This mbuna belongs to the family Cichlidae and reaches about 13 centimeters, and it is a maternal mouthbrooder, the female holding eggs and fry in her mouth until they can swim free. As in many mbuna the sexes look different, with barred blue males and, in some populations, orange-blotched females. With a settled harem, breeding is a moderate undertaking.
Did you know
It is named for Misha Fainzilber, a tropical fish dealer who helped the German ichthyologist Wolfgang Staeck reach Lake Malawi to study its cichlids at first hand.
Common questions
What size tank does a Fainzilber's mbuna need?
A Fainzilber's mbuna needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Fainzilber's mbuna need?
Fainzilber's mbuna are comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
How big do Fainzilber's mbuna get?
An adult Fainzilber's mbuna reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
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Related species
Slim zebra
Maylandia tarakikiFreshwater5.5 in (14 cm)66 gal (250 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Mayland's zebra
Maylandia hajomaylandiFreshwater4.7 in (12 cm)66 gal (250 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Mbenji zebra
Maylandia mbenjiiFreshwater4.3 in (11 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Fireback zebra
Maylandia pyrsonotosFreshwater4.3 in (11 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Golden fleece zebra
Maylandia chrysomallosFreshwater4.3 in (11 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Mpanga red-top zebra
Maylandia emmiltosFreshwater4.1 in (10.5 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)