{"product_id":"cobalt-zebra-cichlid-maylandia-callainos","title":"Cobalt Zebra Cichlid | Maylandia callainos","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePure electric blue from nose to tail, the Cobalt Zebra is one of the most dazzling and dependable mbuna. Reaching around 13–15 cm, it is hardy, active and endlessly photogenic over pale rock — but, like all mbuna, it is a boisterous, aggressive Rift Lake cichlid that needs a group and plenty of space.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to the rocky shorelines of Lake Malawi in the East African Rift. The lake's water is warm, very hard and strongly alkaline. Mbuna live among the rocks, grazing the carpet of algae and micro-organisms — the 'aufwuchs' — that covers every surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA robust, torpedo-shaped cichlid in solid, vivid cobalt-blue; some fish carry faint barring, and a white or paler form also exists. Males are the more intense and add egg-spots to the anal fin; females are often a touch smaller and duller. Colour holds well year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAggressive and territorial, as expected of mbuna. Overstocking a large tank actually helps by spreading aggression, and a ratio of one male to several females reduces harassment. Keep only with other robust, similarly feisty mbuna — never with peaceful community fish or gentle peacocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA herbivore built to graze algae. Feed a spirulina- and vegetable-based cichlid flake or pellet as the staple, with fresh greens. Keep protein low and avoid mammalian meats and blood-rich foods, which readily cause the digestive disorder 'Malawi bloat'.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a tank of at least 200 litres with abundant rockwork arranged into caves and territories, plus open sand for swimming. Hard, alkaline, warm and well-filtered water is essential, along with regular water changes to cope with the heavy bioload of a busy mbuna group.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA prolific maternal mouthbrooder. After a rock-side courtship the female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming young. Fry take crushed flake and baby brine shrimp; strip or separate holding females to raise the most.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaylandia callainos\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCobalt Blue Zebra Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13–15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAggressive, territorial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore (algae grazer)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–15 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi mbuna aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (herbivorous; grazes and uproots plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther robust Malawi mbuna of similar temperament, kept in numbers, plus large synodontis catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful community fish, soft-water species, gentle Malawi peacocks, and anything too small or slow to escape a territorial mbuna.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232773357859,"sku":null,"price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232773390627,"sku":"AA2031","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232773423395,"sku":null,"price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Cobalt_Zebra_Cichlid_Maylandia_callainos_f20b3a6f-eff7-42fc-a9f4-86c575706db7.jpg?v=1781446641","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/cobalt-zebra-cichlid-maylandia-callainos","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}