Fireback zebra
Maylandia pyrsonotos
Also known as Metriaclima pyrsonotos, Red top zebra Nakantenga
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
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Lake Malawi, Nakantenga Island
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
This is a red-topped zebra mbuna, run like every serious zebra: a single dominant male with a team of several females, never rival males crowded together. It holds the lower water and rockwork, grazing and defending its patch. It is aggressive and territorial, so be careful choosing tankmates: other robust mbuna in a busy, rock-filled tank that spreads the aggression around. Feed a vegetable-leaning diet of spirulina flake and pellets and greens, with only light protein to avoid digestive trouble. A group needs a tank of at least 200 liters divided up by dense stonework.
In the wild
Maylandia pyrsonotos comes from the rocky shores of Nakantenga Island in Lake Malawi, grazing the algae film on the boulders. Recreate that with heavy rockwork stacked into caves and territories over a sand floor. 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 keep it clean.
Good to know
This mbuna, in the family Cichlidae, reaches about 11 centimeters and is a maternal mouthbrooder, the female carrying eggs and fry in her mouth. Its name, pyrsonotos, means flame-backed, for the burning red-orange dorsal fin that sits above blue-black barred flanks in the male. With a settled harem, breeding is a moderate project.
Did you know
The islands off this stretch of Lake Malawi each tend to have their own red-topped zebra; this is the form native to Nakantenga, subtly different from the versions a short distance away.
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 do Fireback zebra need?
Fireback zebra are comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
How big do Fireback zebra get?
An adult Fireback zebra reaches about 4.3 in (11 cm).
Where to buy
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Related species
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Fainzilber's mbuna
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