{"product_id":"crimson-tide-cichlid-maylandia-sp-crimson-tide","title":"Crimson Tide Cichlid | Maylandia sp. 'Crimson Tide'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA line-bred showstopper washed in red, blue and violet, the Crimson Tide is a zebra-type Malawi mbuna that turns heads in any Rift Lake tank. Reaching around 12–13 cm, it offers all the hardiness of the zebra mbuna with dialled-up colour, but like all mbuna it is aggressive and territorial, so it needs a hard-water cichlid setup rather than a peaceful community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis fish is a selectively bred form derived from the zebra mbuna complex of Lake Malawi in East Africa, where wild mbuna graze algae from the rocky shoreline in warm, hard, strongly alkaline water. The lake is oxygen-rich and very stable in chemistry. A tank built around plentiful rockwork with caves and crevices, over an open sandy base, recreates this rocky-shore home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA robust, torpedo-shaped mbuna with the classic sloping forehead and grazing mouth, its body a vivid blend of crimson-red, blue and violet from generations of selective breeding. Males are typically the most intensely coloured and may show egg-spots on the anal fin. Colour deepens with maturity, good diet and the confidence that comes from holding a territory.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTemperament is aggressive and highly territorial, especially between males and toward similarly coloured fish. It is best kept in a dedicated Malawi mbuna tank, stocked fairly heavily to spread aggression, with plenty of rocky territories and broken sightlines. Do not mix it with peaceful community fish, soft-water species or timid tank mates, which it will bully relentlessly.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA herbivore adapted to grazing algae, so its diet must be mainly plant-based. Feed a quality spirulina or vegetable-based cichlid flake or pellet, with blanched vegetables as extras. Avoid protein-rich and mammalian-meat foods, as too much protein causes the serious digestive condition known as Malawi bloat. Feed small amounts often rather than large meals.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 200 L, with more room strongly preferred to manage aggression in a group. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 7.8–8.6 and GH hard, around 10–25. Use plentiful rockwork, secure caves, robust filtration and regular water changes to keep the hard, alkaline water pristine. It is not plant safe, as it grazes and digs; use hardy plants only, or none at all.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreeding is straightforward and fascinating, as this is a maternal mouthbrooder. After spawning, the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks, releasing fully formed young. She can be moved to a separate tank to protect the brood, or fry can be collected as they are released. Well-fed, settled groups breed readily.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaylandia sp. 'Crimson Tide' (zebra mbuna complex)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCrimson Tide Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLine-bred from Lake Malawi mbuna, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 12–13 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAggressive and territorial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore: spirulina\/vegetable-based flake and pellets, blanched vegetables\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 10–25 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDedicated hard-water Malawi mbuna aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (grazes and digs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other robust Malawi mbuna of similar size and temperament, such as other zebra-type Maylandia, Pseudotropheus and Labidochromis, kept in a well-decorated rocky tank with enough numbers to spread aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with peaceful community fish, soft-water species, timid or slow tank mates, and long-finned fish. Avoid mixing with very similarly coloured mbuna, which triggers the worst aggression, and never keep it in soft, acidic water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232773718307,"sku":null,"price":11.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232773751075,"sku":"AA1368","price":15.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232773783843,"sku":null,"price":20.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Crimson_Tide_Cichlid_Haplochromis_latifasciatus_29cea26e-7cd8-41c7-a9f7-51c6ec73c86e.jpg?v=1781446643","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/crimson-tide-cichlid-maylandia-sp-crimson-tide","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}