Zebra obliquidens
Astatotilapia latifasciata
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 4.9 in
- 12.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 30 gal
- 115 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Kyoga, Lake Nawampas
Overview
The zebra obliquidens is an aggressive cichlid for a tank of rockwork and sturdy fish. It is a step up from the easiest fish.
Did you know
The zebra obliquidens is sometimes used as a stand-in study species for the famous Lake Victoria cichlids. It is hardy, and many of those close relatives are endangered or already gone from the wild.
Caring for the zebra obliquidens
Give the zebra obliquidens a tank of at least 30 gal (115 L), with rockwork for hiding spots and clear swimming lanes. Plenty of broken sightlines help spread out its aggression. It swims in the middle of the tank.
Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. Feed quality cichlid pellets with live or frozen extras such as brine shrimp and bloodworms.
The zebra obliquidens is aggressive, especially around breeding. Keep it singly or as a harem of one male with several females, rather than as a tight group. House it with other sturdy fish that can stand up to it.
Its bold vertical black bars are strongest on the males. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth. Breeding it is hard.
Good to know
Astatotilapia latifasciata is a member of the family Cichlidae. It is considered critically endangered in the wild, hit hard by habitat loss and introduced species. Many aquarium fish help keep the species going.
In the wild
The zebra obliquidens lives in the shallow waters of Lake Kyoga and Lake Nawampasa in Uganda. It stays over mixed sand and rock, using the rocks for cover and the open areas to forage.
Common questions
What size tank does a zebra obliquidens need?
A zebra obliquidens needs at least 30 gal (115 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a zebra obliquidens need?
A zebra obliquidens is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
What does a zebra obliquidens eat?
A zebra obliquidens eats quality cichlid pellets. Add live or frozen extras such as brine shrimp and bloodworms.
How big does a zebra obliquidens get?
An adult zebra obliquidens reaches about 4.9 in (12.5 cm).
How can you tell a male zebra obliquidens from a female?
Males show the strongest vertical black bars.
How does a zebra obliquidens breed?
The zebra obliquidens is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth, and breeding it is hard.
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