MAISON REEF ZEBRA, METRIACLIMA SP. “ZEBRA CHILUMBA”

Common name: Chilumba Zebra, Maisoni Reef Zebra

 Scientific name: Metriaclima sp. Zebra Chilumba Maisoni Reef

 Average Adult Fish Size: 15cm / 6 Inches

 Place of Origin: Lake Malawi

 Typical Tank setup: Rocky Malawi tank with plenty of hiding spaces/caves.

 Recommended Minimum Aquarium Capacity: 200 Litres

 Compatibility: Combine with other Mbuna but avoid adding similar-looking males.

 Temperature: 23-26 Deg C / 73-78 Deg F

 Water chemistry:  pH 7.6-8.6

 Feeding: Herbivore – Best thrives on specially made African Cichlid pellets or flakes that have a high vegetable content. Spirulina flakes are also great. Do not feed meat or food with heavy protein content as it will cause bloat.

Sexing: Males are larger and much more colorful than adults, and juvenile fish are difficult to have sex with.

Breeding: Zebra Chilumba Maison Reef cichlids are maternal mouthbrooders like many African Cichlids. The male will entice a mate and as the female lays her eggs he will fertilize them. The process continues till all the eggs are fertilized and the female holds them in her mouth for 3-4 weeks during which time she does not eat.

Additional Information: This is a very attractive fish and grows to be one of the larger Mbuna. Males have blue hues across the body and striking black vertical stripes, which start from the head area. Females are dull in comparison but are still beautiful with shades of blue visible on a grey body. This is a fish that develops a stocky body especially the males and is very territorial. Tank mates should be other Mbuna but avoid housing with similar-looking fish. For breeding purposes, they are best in a tank of their own housing 1 male and a harem of females.