{"product_id":"ob-zebra-cichlid-maylandia-sp-ob","title":"OB Zebra Cichlid | Maylandia sp. 'OB'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo two are quite alike – the OB (\"orange blotch\") Zebra wears a marbled patchwork of black, orange and cream, and every fish is an individual. A hardy, colourful and boldly aggressive mbuna, it reaches around 10–12 cm and is a staple of the mixed Malawi rock tank. It is a lively, characterful cichlid, but its aggression means it needs space and robust company.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe OB Zebra is a captive colour form of the zebra mbuna complex from Lake Malawi in East Africa, where these fish graze algae from the rocky shoreline. The lake is hard, alkaline and extremely stable, and the fish are strongly tied to the rocks for food and shelter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOB stands for \"orange blotch,\" and the fish shows irregular black blotching over a yellow-to-orange body, a pattern unique to every individual. Adults reach around 10–12 cm, with males often slightly larger and developing egg-spots on the anal fin. It has the deep, robust body typical of the zebra mbuna.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike most mbuna, the OB Zebra is aggressive and territorial, especially males towards each other and towards similar-looking fish. It is best kept in a busy mbuna community where aggression is spread out, with a female-heavy ratio to ease harassment. It is not suitable for a peaceful community tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrimarily a herbivore that grazes aufwuchs (algae and micro-life) in the wild. Feed a spirulina- and vegetable-based flake or pellet as the staple and keep protein modest, as too much meaty food can cause the often-fatal \"Malawi bloat.\" Occasional frozen foods are fine in moderation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a large tank of at least 150–200 litres with hard, alkaline water, plenty of rockwork and caves, and strong filtration. A well-decorated tank with many territories helps spread aggression, and regular water changes keep quality high. It is an intermediate fish, mainly because of its temperament and water-chemistry needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. After spawning, the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming young. It breeds readily in a well-kept mbuna tank, and OB patterning is passed on in varied and unpredictable ways.\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 sp. 'OB' (also placed in Metriaclima; a colour form of the zebra mbuna complex, often M. estherae)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOB Zebra Cichlid, Orange Blotch Zebra\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa (captive colour form)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10–12 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 and 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\u003e150 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore – spirulina\/vegetable flake and pellets, limited protein\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\u003eMixed Lake 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 – grazes algae and digs; will damage most plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther robust mbuna of similar temperament, such as other zebras, Labidochromis, Pseudotropheus and Cynotilapia, kept in groups with plenty of rockwork in a large tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful community fish, soft-water species, slow or long-finned fish, and anything small enough to be bullied. Avoid crowding too many lookalike males, which triggers relentless fighting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232772833571,"sku":"AA2291-S","price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232772866339,"sku":"AA2291","price":18.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232772899107,"sku":"AA2291-L","price":23.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/ob-zebra-cichlid-maylandia-s-43878711361827.webp?v=1790305552","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/ob-zebra-cichlid-maylandia-sp-ob","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}