Jalo Reef Cichlid

Zebra Afra Cichlid

The zebra afra cichlid, or dogtooth cichlid, may be the most colorful of the dwarf cichlids from Lake Malawi. They are pricey but very hardy. The females are a bit smaller without as much color, but the males have a yellow top with a black and blue body. These fish will only grow to about three inches in the aquarium and will breed if happy with the right territory and the right mate. These are small fish but will hold their own against larger mbuna to defend their space. The common name dogtooth comes from the little teeth these fish have to chew veggies in the wild. Cynotilapia species need veggies in prepared pellet food or fresh.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Use a sand or crushed-coral bottom and stack plenty of rockwork with caves and hiding spots so each male can claim a territory and others can escape. Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids need hard, alkaline water; crushed coral or aragonite sand helps hold the pH up.

Feeding: Mbuna are mostly plant eaters. Feed a vegetable-based flake or pellet once or twice a day, and avoid high-protein foods, which can upset their digestion.

Tankmates: Keep mbuna with other mbuna of similar size and temperament, stocked in a group to spread out aggression. Avoid mixing them with peaceful peacocks and haps unless the tank is large, and avoid closely related species that look alike, which can crossbreed.

Good to know: Mbuna stay calmer when the tank is slightly crowded and well decorated, which keeps any one fish from dominating.