Mayland's zebra
Maylandia hajomaylandi
Also known as Metriaclima hajomaylandi, Hajomaylandi cichlid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 4.7 in
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 66 gal
- 250 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi, Chizumulu Island
Overview
Mayland's zebra is a zebra mbuna from Lake Malawi that grazes and holds territory low among the rocks. It suits a keeper with some experience.
Did you know
Mayland's zebra carries one man's name twice over. The genus Maylandia and the species name hajomaylandi both honor Hans Joachim Mayland, a German aquarist and author. The species name is built from Ha-Jo, a short form of his first names.
Caring for the Mayland's zebra
Keep Mayland's zebras as a harem of one male with several females, so his aggression is shared rather than aimed at a single fish. A group needs a well-structured rock tank of 66 gal (250 L) or more.
Give them a sand floor with stacked boulders forming caves, territories and clear boundaries. Leave open lanes between the piles for swimming and display.
Keep the water hard, alkaline, clean and steady, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Malawi mbuna fare poorly in soft or acidic water. Feed a vegetable-based diet of spirulina and algae foods, with limited protein.
Mayland's zebras carry the usual zebra temper, so give them firm mbuna neighbors. Choose any other tank mates with care.
Males show blue with white barring, while females are a duller tone. The female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth, and breeding is of medium difficulty.
Good to know
Mayland's zebra is a mbuna in the family Cichlidae, found in the wild only around Chizumulu Island.
In the wild
Maylandia hajomaylandi circles the rocky shores of Chizumulu Island in Lake Malawi.
Common questions
What size tank does a Mayland's zebra need?
A Mayland's zebra needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Mayland's zebra need?
A Mayland's zebra is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
What does a Mayland's zebra eat?
A Mayland's zebra eats a vegetable-based diet of spirulina and algae foods. Keep its protein limited.
How big does a Mayland's zebra get?
An adult Mayland's zebra reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
How can you tell a male Mayland's zebra from a female?
Males show blue with white barring, while females are a duller tone.
How does a Mayland's zebra breed?
Mayland's zebras are mouthbrooders, and the female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.
Related species
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Maylandia fainzilberi
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Maylandia mbenjii
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Maylandia emmiltos
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