Maylandia estherae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).

Red Zebra

A Red Zebra in an aquarium

Conservation status

Secure

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Cichlidae
Genus:	Pseudotropheus

Binomial name

Pseudotropheus estherae
(Konings, 1995)

One of the common Pseudotrophine cichlids is Pseudotropheus estherae a rock dwelling fish from the genus Pseudotropheus. These fish like most cichlids from Lake Malawi, are 'mouthbrooders', females hold their fertilized eggs, then fry, in their mouth until they are released after about 21 days.

Females can grow up to 10cm (4 in) while males will grow up to 12.7 cm (5 in).

[edit] Aquarium Care

The males are territorial and subordinate males will be picked on by the dominant or alpha male. Like the other cichlids of this genus, are best kept in tanks harems with one male to many females. They prefer a rocky terrain providing numerous hiding places where weaker fish can find necessary shelter. Their predominate food source is algae though those in aquaria will take typical cichlid foods and some vegetable greens as a treat.