Red Zebra Cichlid Care Guide

Red Zebra Cichlid (Maylandia estherae) is an intermediate-level freshwater fish that needs at least 55 gallons and 76-82°F. A hardy Malawi mbuna. Males are blue and females orange, and the species is usually kept in a rock-heavy tank. It likes hard, alkaline water and can be pushy, so avoid crowding it with timid fish.

Care facts at a glance

Quick tips

• Use plenty of rock caves and keep only one male per group.
• Avoid high-protein foods that can cause bloat.
• Keep it with other mbuna, not with soft-water fish.

San Diego water

Naturally suited to San Diego's hard, alkaline tap water once it is dechlorinated (the city uses chloramine, so use a conditioner that handles it). Learn the numbers in our San Diego tap water guide.

Before you buy

Make sure your tank is cycled (how to cycle a tank), check your numbers with the water testing guide, and use the compatibility guide to check tankmates. These are general ranges; individual fish and local water vary.