Data sheet Pseudotropheus zebra | Blue Malawi cichlid
German name:
Pseudotropheus zebra, Blue Malawi cichlid
Scientific name:
Maylandia zebra
Origin:
Africa, Lake Malawi
Size:
Body length up to 12 cm
Aquarium
Length:
Length from 140 cm width
Contents:
from 400 – 500 liters (when kept in groups)
water values
Temperature:
22°- 26° C
pH:
7.5 – 8.5
GH:
5° – 15° dH
Behave
Area:
lower area
Lining:
Live, plant and dry food
Behave:
Each male should have his own territory, they defend their territory quite aggressively
Number:
Harem keeping (1 male, several females)
Difficulty level:
Advanced Klaus Rudloff, Maylandia zebra B, CC BY-SA 4.0
Blue Malawi cichlids, Pseudotropheus zebra, are very aggressive and cannot be kept with other cichlids.
What zebra cichlids eat
In addition, some vegetable flake food or small granules are given. Flake food and granules should be pre-swollen.
Red mosquito larvae are deadly for Mbunas and thus also for Pseudotropheus zebra in the long run.
The hierarchy is constantly fought.
© Monsterkoi / Pixabay
Zebra cichlids, Pseudotropheus zebra, form a hierarchy among themselves. One male is the alpha animal and dominates the others. These form a hierarchy among themselves. The hierarchy is fought again and again in fierce battles. In nature, inferior animals can dodge. There is usually not enough space in the aquarium for this.
Measures for aggressive behavior:
- A much larger pool
- Structure the pelvis much more; more hideouts, vision barriers, caves, shelters. But that doesn’t always help, because the habitat is still very limited.
- Increase enemy pressure on the alpha animal. This spreads the aggression over more animals.
If these measures do not help or cannot be implemented, the animals must be separated. Zebra cichlids are quite rough and cannot be socialized with all cichlids.
Instructions for rearing
If as many young as possible are to be reared, the female is transferred to a small breeding tank 20 days after the start of breeding. After spitting out the young, the female is removed.
What young Pseudotropheus zebra eat
Young, 4 cm long, Pseudotropheus zebra “Cobalt”. Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 2.0 Author: Lee Nachtigal
Young Blue Malawi cichlids can be fed with powdered food, e.g. B. TetraMin Baby or finely grated flake food.
With a size of approx. 2 cm, they can be fed with only lightly ground flake food.