Fireback zebra
Maylandia pyrsonotos
Also known as Metriaclima pyrsonotos, Red top zebra Nakantenga
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 4.3 in
- 11 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi, Nakantenga Island
Overview
The fireback zebra is a red-topped zebra mbuna, an aggressive rock grazer from Lake Malawi. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
Each island off this stretch of Lake Malawi tends to have its own red-topped zebra. The fireback zebra is the Nakantenga form, subtly different from the versions a short distance away.
Caring for the fireback zebra
A group of fireback zebras needs at least 53 gal (200 L), divided up by dense stonework. Stack heavy rockwork into caves and territories over a sand floor. They keep to the lower water and the rocks, grazing and defending a patch.
Keep the water hard and alkaline like the lake, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Run strong filtration to keep it clean. Feed a vegetable-leaning diet of spirulina flake, pellets and greens. Keep protein light to avoid digestive trouble.
Keep a single dominant male with a team of several females, as with any zebra, and never crowd rival males together. The fireback zebra is aggressive and territorial, so choose tank mates with care. Other robust mbuna suit it, in a busy, rock-filled tank that spreads the aggression around.
It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth. With a settled harem, breeding is a moderate project.
Good to know
The fireback zebra is a mbuna in the family Cichlidae. Its name, pyrsonotos, means flame-backed, for the male's burning red-orange dorsal fin above blue-black barred flanks.
In the wild
Maylandia pyrsonotos comes from the rocky shores of Nakantenga Island in Lake Malawi. There it grazes the algae film on the boulders.
Common questions
What size tank does a fireback zebra need?
A fireback zebra needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a fireback zebra need?
A fireback zebra is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
What does a fireback zebra eat?
A fireback zebra eats a vegetable-leaning diet of spirulina flake, pellets and greens. Keep its protein light to avoid digestive trouble.
How big does a fireback zebra get?
An adult fireback zebra reaches about 4.3 in (11 cm).
How does a fireback zebra breed?
The fireback zebra is a maternal mouthbrooder, so the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding is a moderate project with a settled harem.
Related species
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