Zebra Cichlid Red

The red zebra is a solid red mbuna cichlid found in Lake Malawi. The red zebra cichlid is quite active and will be aggressive with other species, so zebra cichlids should not be kept with peaceful species such as kribensis cichlids. In a community cichlid tank, the red zebra offers a great color contrast to yellow labs, snow white, and cobalt blue cichlids.

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.