Zebra tilapia

Care at a glance

Overview

This is a large, aggressive fish that needs a tank of at least 600 liters, ideally kept alone or with equally tough tankmates. Water is flexible around 23 to 28 C and pH 6.5 to 7.8, since it is very hardy. Feed a varied omnivore diet of pellets, vegetables and frozen foods. It is smart and interactive but too big and pushy for a community tank.

In the wild

The zebra tilapia comes from rivers and streams in tropical West Africa. It is a big, boldly striped cichlid marked with black and white vertical bands that fade and brighten with its mood. In the wild it eats a broad mix of plants, algae and small animals.

Good to know

Formerly placed in Tilapia, this fish now sits in the genus Heterotilapia. It is a biparental substrate spawner, laying eggs on a cleaned surface that both parents defend. Young fish show crisp zebra stripes that often blur into a darker pattern as they age.

Did you know

Sold as a cute striped juvenile, it can reach the length of a dinner plate and often ends up rehomed once owners see how big and bossy it gets.

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