{"product_id":"red-top-zebra-metriaclima-pyrsonotos","title":"Red Top Zebra | Metriaclima pyrsonotos","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePowder-blue flanks lit by a blaze of red-orange along the dorsal fin — the Red Top Zebra is classic Lake Malawi colour with classic mbuna attitude. It reaches around 13 cm and is best kept in a busy group over plenty of rock, where its bold behaviour and bright males make a lively, colourful display.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMetriaclima pyrsonotos is endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, where it lives among the rocky shorelines grazing algae from the rock surfaces. The lake is warm, very hard and strongly alkaline, and the fish rarely stray far from the cover and feeding of the rock zone.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA robust, streamlined mbuna. Dominant males are pale blue with a striking red to orange dorsal fin, while females and subdominant fish are plainer blue-grey. Colour intensity depends on mood and rank, with the brightest males holding and defending the best territories.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eLike most mbuna, this is an aggressive, territorial fish. Keep it as a harem of one male to several females and stock the tank with other robust mbuna to spread aggression, avoiding similar-looking blue zebras that it will fight. It is not suitable for a peaceful community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrimarily a herbivore adapted to grazing algae. Feed a quality spirulina or vegetable-based cichlid flake or pellet as the staple. Avoid protein-rich or mammalian foods, which can cause the digestive disorder known as \"Malawi bloat\" — the occasional frozen daphnia or brine shrimp is enough animal matter.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 200 L, with 250 L or larger better for a proper mbuna group. Keep temperature at 24–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.6 and GH hard, around 10–20. Build plenty of secure rockwork with caves and use a robust filter and regular water changes. It grazes and rearranges, so delicate planting is generally not practical.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The female takes the fertilised eggs into her mouth and broods them for around three weeks, releasing free-swimming fry. Breeding happens readily in a settled harem, and holding females can be moved to a separate tank to raise the fry safely.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMetriaclima pyrsonotos\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Top Zebra, Red Top Zebra Mbuna\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 13 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–10 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 and vegetable-based flake or pellet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27 °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 10–20 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\u003eRocky Lake 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 on and disturbs plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other robust Lake Malawi mbuna such as Labidochromis, Pseudotropheus, Cynotilapia and Metriaclima species with differing colours, plus hardy Synodontis catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with peaceful community fish, soft-water species, slow long-finned fish, and similar-looking blue zebra cichlids that will trigger constant fighting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232772538659,"sku":null,"price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232772571427,"sku":"AA3039","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232772604195,"sku":null,"price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Red_Top_Zebra_08a9df91-cbe9-4852-b63c-e0d12d7d85e3.jpg?v=1781445777","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-top-zebra-metriaclima-pyrsonotos","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}