Mbenji zebra
Maylandia mbenjii
Also known as Metriaclima mbenjii, Red-top cobalt zebra
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, Mbenji Island
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
An island-endemic zebra for a well-rocked mbuna community, kept as a harem of one male with several females to spread out his aggression. It grazes and defends a patch low among the rocks and shows the typical zebra pugnacity, so stock it with equally sturdy mbuna and choose tankmates carefully. Feed a green, vegetable-based diet of spirulina and algae foods, going easy on protein. A group settles into a rockwork tank of about 200 liters or more with caves and sightline breaks.
In the wild
Maylandia mbenjii holds the rocky shores of Mbenji Island in Lake Malawi, an isolated island group out in the middle of the lake. Recreate it with a base of sand and stacked stone forming caves and territories, leaving open water for swimming. Keep it hard, alkaline and warm as the lake is, 24 to 28 C at a pH of 7.5 to 8.5, with strong, steady filtration.
Good to know
This species belongs to the Cichlidae and reaches about 11 centimeters. It is found in the wild only around Mbenji Island, and the trade knows it as the red top cobalt zebra. Males are a light cobalt blue with red edging on the dorsal, tail and pectoral fins, while females are browner. It is a maternal mouthbrooder of medium breeding difficulty, and Mbenji females also occur in an orange-blotched form.
Did you know
The red-on-blue males of this fish exist nowhere else in Lake Malawi. Mbenji Island is isolated enough that its zebras evolved their own local coloring, a cobalt body with red-topped fins found only around that one island.
Common questions
What size tank does a Mbenji zebra need?
A Mbenji zebra needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Mbenji zebra need?
Mbenji zebra are comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
How big do Mbenji zebra get?
An adult Mbenji zebra reaches about 4.3 in (11 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
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Fainzilber's mbuna
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