They’ll be less likely to leave their little hidey hole and fight, for fear of losing it to any encroaching males. This is also a reason to have a number of rocks built up for hiding spaces, not only for the females but for the males to establish a clear territory. Male cichlids are very aggressive and will defend their territory from any and all perceived threats, especially other males. If you’re not interested in breeding your fish, it’s wise to just have all females. When you get mbuna cichlids, you’re making a decent-sized commitment, as the recommended school size is at least twenty fish, although thirty or forty is even better. There should be at least two females to every male, and you should introduce them all into the tank at the same time, so as to avoid any ganging up on new members. It’s recommended that these fish be kept in large groups, due to their territorial nature. You can achieve this by using an airstone or a Venturi. You should also ensure the water is nice and oxygenated.
Your tank should be deep and wide, so that it mimics the conditions of Lake Malawi. This means a minimum of four feet, but a larger tank would be even better. This means you’ll need a larger tank to accommodate the number and size of your mbuna cichlids.įifty-three gallons minimum is your best bet. Mbuna cichlids are definitely group fish, and they get bigger in captivity than they do in the wild. There’s also the option of buying Malawi cichlid salt to add to the tank, so as to achieve the proper levels as well. It would be a good idea to also include lime-based or calcareous décor to keep the mineral levels of your tank high. People with very hard water will find that their mbuna cichlids will do very well in their tanks. Lake Malawi sits on atop an area with very active tectonic plates, meaning the lake is extremely rich in minerals, resulting in water with a high pH, GH (general hardness), and KH (carbonate hardness). This means that you’ll need lots of biological and mechanical filtration.
#Red zebra cichlid female free#
They come from a large lake, with clean water that’s rich in oxygen and free of pollutants. The mbuna thrive in water temperatures ranging from 77-84☏, with a pH level ranging from 7.5-8.4, and a ammonium nitrite and ammonia content as close to 0ppm (parts per million) as you can manage.Īnother requirement to their upkeep stems from the mbuna cichlid’s origins. Your mbuna tank requirements will, luckily, be fairly straightforward. They’re basically freshwater reef fish! The most common mbuna cichlids are the red zebra cichlid, the blue zebra, the bumble or hornet cichlid, the golden cichlid, the electric yellow or yellow lab cichlid, and the blue johannii.įor other, more unique kinds, you’ll need to seek out a specialized breeder. Mbuna live in massive groups, and love rocky places to hide. Lake Malawi is an African Great Lake located in Tanzania, and is the ninth largest lake in the world. The mbuna (pronounced um-boo-nah) cichlids, also known as Mbuna African Cichlids, come from Lake Malawi. Picture of OB Red Zebra cichlid - Maylandia estherae.IMPORTANT NOTE: Read Terms & Conditions before placing the Order!Ībout the Mbuna Cichlid Where do Mbuna Cichlids Come From? Some fry may survive in a community tank. Stress might cause the females to eat eggs and fry. It is recommendable to try to make the isolation as short as possible to avoid that the females loses their social status which may cause fights once they are returned. Brooding females can be isolated for more productive breeding. Fry accepts most kinds of food however vegetables should be the stable diet. You can tell if a female is brooding by her enlarged mouth and the fact that she isn’t eating. The female will brood for approximately 3 weeks and cares ofr the fry approximately one week after they first leave her mouth. Don’t use roots in your aquarium since they lower PH levels.īreeding: Mouth-brooder. Requires stone formations that allow the fish good hiding places (one per fish) and free areas to swim on. Overstocking the aquarium may help to suppress the worst aggression. Water parameters: pH 7.5-8.5, temperature 24-28☌ / 75-82° FĪquarium setup: Keep one male to 3-4 females.
Red Zebra - Maylandia estherae Red Zebra - Maylandia estheraeĬommon Names: Cherry Red Cichlid, Red Zebraįamily: Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: PseudocrenilabrinaeĬlass: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)Ĭompany: Can be kept with other species with the same temperament.
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