Red Zebra Cichlid

Scientific Name: Metriaclima zebra
Recommended Aquarium: 30+ Gallons
Approx. Adult Size: 4 to 5 inches
Temperament: Aggressive
Ease of Care: Easy
Diet: Omnivore
Native Waters: Africa-Malawi

One of the original African Cichlids to be imported to the US, the Red Zebra has always had a bit of a misleading name. The first to arrive started out orange-red and then the males would develop to a light blue body with deep blue stripes! The females stayed orange-red. Later, males were developed that kept the orange-red color and we rarely see the deep blue stripes anymore. One of the rock-dwelling Mbuna, the Red Zebra requires large formations of rocks with plenty of hiding places. Dr. Alexrod had 12 pages of color morphs of the Zebra in his The Most Complete Colored Lexicon of Cichlids . Best kept in large groups or with one male and several females.

Approximate arrival size for Red Zebra: 1 to 2 inches