Konings' zebra
Maylandia koningsi
Also known as Metriaclima koningsi
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 3.1 in
- 8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 42 gal
- 160 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Likoma Island, Lake Malawi
Overview
The Konings' zebra is a compact Lake Malawi mbuna with the typical zebra temper. Keeping it calls for some experience.
Did you know
The Konings' zebra was long known to divers and collectors simply as the membe deep. That name comes from Membe Point on Likoma Island, where it keeps to the deeper rock.
Caring for the Konings' zebra
Give Konings' zebras a well-built rock tank of at least 42 gal (160 L). They appreciate cover, so build a base of fine sand with piled stone that leaves shaded crevices.
Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Good filtration keeps it clean and stable. Offer a vegetable-leaning diet of spirulina and algae-based foods with only modest protein.
Keep one male with several females to soften his drive to dominate. The Konings' zebra works the bottom around rock, grazing and defending a small territory. It is aggressive, so choose firm mbuna companions and pick tank mates with care.
Males show blue with a dark band in the dorsal fin, while females are yellow-orange. The female mouthbroods the eggs and fry, and breeding is of medium difficulty.
Good to know
The Konings' zebra, Maylandia koningsi, is a mbuna in the family Cichlidae, described by Jay Stauffer in 2018. It is named for Ad Konings, one of the most prolific documenters of Lake Malawi cichlids. His field guides have documented much of what hobbyists know about Malawi cichlids. Unlike many zebras, it lacks strong vertical barring.
In the wild
The Konings' zebra is a deep-water form from the northeastern shore of Likoma Island in Lake Malawi. It is recorded mainly over sediment-rich rock between about 15 and 30 meters. It favors the dimmer, deeper rock rather than the bright shallows.
Common questions
What size tank does a Konings' zebra need?
A Konings' zebra needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Konings' zebra need?
A Konings' zebra is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
What does a Konings' zebra eat?
A Konings' zebra eats a vegetable-leaning diet of spirulina and algae-based foods. Keep the protein modest.
How big does a Konings' zebra get?
An adult Konings' zebra reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
How can you tell a male Konings' zebra from a female?
Males show blue with a dark band in the dorsal fin. Females are yellow-orange.
How does a Konings' zebra breed?
The Konings' zebra is a mouthbrooder, and the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding it is of medium difficulty.
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