TankBud

Zebra nyererei

Pundamilia pundamilia

Also known as Haplochromis pundamilia, Makobe zebra hap

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
7.0–8.5
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Victoria, rocky islands

Overview

The zebra nyererei is a territorial cichlid for a rocky tank shared with other robust cichlids. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The blue Pundamilia pundamilia and the red P. nyererei stay separate species mainly because females choose mates by color. Where pollution clouds the water and hides those colors, the two interbreed and blur back toward a single form.

Caring for the zebra nyererei

Give the zebra nyererei a rocky tank of at least 53 gal (200 L), so it has room to hold a territory. Build the rock up into caves and territories over sand. Leave open midwater, where it swims around the rock.

Aim for 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C), a pH of 7.0 to 8.5 and moderate hardness. Good water clarity matters for more than looks, since these fish rely on seeing color to behave and breed normally. Feed a varied diet of quality pellets, spirulina and frozen foods, and go easy on protein.

The zebra nyererei does not school, and males are very aggressive. Keep a single male, either alone among other robust cichlids or with a few of his own females. Two males will not share a tank.

Choose tank mates with care, such as other sturdy Victorian or Malawi-type cichlids. Never add a second Pundamilia species, since it readily crossbreeds with them.

It is a maternal mouthbrooder, with the female carrying the eggs and fry in her mouth. With a settled male and enough females, breeding is of moderate difficulty.

Good to know

Pundamilia pundamilia is the blue-gray Lake Victoria cichlid often sold as the zebra nyererei. Its name comes from the Kiswahili word for zebra. It is best known to science as one half of a closely studied species pair with the red P. nyererei. The pair is used to understand how new species form.

In the wild

The zebra nyererei lives around the rocky shores of islands in southern Lake Victoria, in warm, slightly alkaline water.

Common questions

What size tank does a zebra nyererei need?

A zebra nyererei needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a zebra nyererei need?

A zebra nyererei is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.5.

What does a zebra nyererei eat?

A zebra nyererei eats a varied diet of quality pellets, spirulina and frozen foods. Go easy on protein when you feed it.

How big does a zebra nyererei get?

An adult zebra nyererei reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

How does a zebra nyererei breed?

The zebra nyererei is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female holds the eggs and then the fry in her mouth. Breeding is moderately difficult, given a settled male and enough females.

Related species