{"product_id":"marble-zebra-cichlid-maylandia-callainos","title":"Marble Zebra Cichlid | Maylandia callainos","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Marble Zebra Cichlid is a boldly coloured Lake Malawi mbuna prized for its powder-blue body flecked with darker marbling. Hardy and full of personality, it is one of the more accessible Rift Lake cichlids, though it grows to around 13 cm and carries the feisty, territorial temperament typical of the group. It is best suited to a dedicated African cichlid community with plenty of rockwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEndemic to the rocky shorelines of Lake Malawi in East Africa, this fish lives among boulder-strewn zones where hard, alkaline water and abundant algae growth define daily life. The lake is remarkably stable, warm and mineral-rich, and the fish rarely stray far from the shelter of the rocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaylandia callainos is best known for its cobalt to pale sky-blue base colour, often overlaid with a subtle marbled or mottled pattern. Males tend to be more intensely coloured and develop egg-spots on the anal fin, while females are usually a little plainer. Adults reach roughly 10–13 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an aggressive, territorial mbuna, especially so between males and towards similarly coloured species. It does best in a Malawi mbuna community where aggression is spread across a busy tank, ideally with more females than males. Avoid keeping it with timid or slow fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrimarily a herbivorous algae grazer, it should be fed a diet rich in plant matter such as spirulina flakes and vegetable-based cichlid pellets. Keep protein and meaty foods to a minimum, as too much can lead to the digestive condition known as Malawi bloat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide hard, alkaline water, robust filtration and a rocky aquascape with plenty of caves and territories. A tank of at least 200 litres is recommended, with larger volumes making it much easier to manage aggression. Regular water changes keep nitrate low and colours bright.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike most Malawi cichlids it is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female collects the fertilised eggs into her mouth and broods them for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. Breeding is straightforward in a well-kept species or mbuna tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaylandia callainos (syn. Metriaclima callainos, Pseudotropheus callainos)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarble Zebra Cichlid, Cobalt Blue Zebra\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\u003eAround 13 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 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 or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore – spirulina flakes, vegetable pellets, algae\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\u003e10–25 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\u003eMalawi mbuna \/ Rift Lake cichlid 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 – tends to nibble and uproot plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther robust Lake Malawi mbuna of similar size and temperament, such as yellow labs, red zebras, acei and other Maylandia species. Keep in groups with a female-heavy ratio to diffuse aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful community fish, long-finned species, small tetras or anything timid, as well as soft-water species that cannot tolerate hard, alkaline Rift Lake conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232774570275,"sku":"AA3792-S","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232774603043,"sku":"AA3792","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232774635811,"sku":"AA3792-L","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/marble-zebra-cichlid-mayland-43879194558755.webp?v=1790305552","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/marble-zebra-cichlid-maylandia-callainos","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}