Red Zebra Cichlid Tank Requirements and Care
Red Zebra cichlids, native to the African Rift Lakes, are an incredibly popular species of fish, and for good reason. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they’re also quite hardy and relatively easy to care for. They are popular in aquariums due to their vibrant colors and active personalities. Contrary to the name red zebra cichlid, they are not red. They have different colors, sometimes depending on gender. These colors are orange and blue.
This type of fish is a spectacular and eye-catching fish pet to put in your aquarium. If you are interested in keeping them, there are a few basic things you should know about them, such as what they eat, how they breed, and the size of the tank and water requirements.
Is a Red Zebra Cichlid a Mbuna
This type of fish is a rock-dwelling fish, also called a mbuna. The red zebra cichlid’s scientific name is maylandia estherae. Mbuna is a common name for a large group of fish that reside along the shores and among the rocks of Lake Malawi and are members of the haplochromine family.
How Big Do Red Zebra Cichlids Get?
When the red zebra cichlids are young, they tend to be quite small. However, upon full maturity, at around the age of six to ten years, red zebra cichlid size is quite bigger. A full-grown red zebra cichlid is 6 inches. This is quite a big size and needs to be considered when keeping the fish in an aquarium.
The number of red zebra cichlid fish you decide to keep should be proportional to their size at adult age. This is to enable them to live comfortably and have enough room to play, sleep and move around.
Are Red Zebra Cichlids Aggressive
Red zebra cichlids can be aggressive, but that depends on the environment they are kept in. If they are kept in overcrowded tanks or tanks with aggressive tank mates, they can become territorial and start to fight. However, in the right environment and with proper care, they can be quite peaceful and even enjoy being handled and petted. They also love to eat, which makes them easy to feed and keep happy and less aggressive.
As for red zebra cichlid tank mates, it is advisable to have fish like Cuckoo fish, Catfish, and Freshwater angelfish in the aquarium with them. Keeping them in solitary is not healthy.
How Do You Tell the Difference Between a Male and Female Red Zebra Cichlid
Male and female red zebra cichlids differ in a few distinct ways. The most distinguishing characteristic is the coloring of the two sexes. Male red zebra cichlids are more vibrant in color, with dark horizontal stripes across their body and a bright yellow head. Females, on the other hand, are generally more muted in color, with lighter horizontal stripes and a yellow-green head. Additionally, males tend to be larger, with a larger dorsal fin, while females are smaller in size and have smaller dorsal fins.
Males will also develop a nuchal hump on their heads when they reach maturity, whereas females will not. Males tend to be more territorial and aggressive than females, so be aware of their behavior when you go to buy red zebra cichlids. Knowing the differences between a male and a red zebra cichlid female can help you decide which fish to purchase for your aquarium.
What Size Tank for Red Zebra Cichlids
The size right tank size of a red zebra cichlid depends on the number of fish you plan to keep. For one Red Zebra Cichlid, you’ll need at least a 55-gallon tank. If you’re thinking of keeping two or more, then you’ll need an even bigger tank. The general rule of thumb is that you need at least a gallon of water per inch of fish. You’ll also need to make sure that the tank is at least 18 inches deep for these fish, as they like to swim in the middle and lower levels of the tank.
If you want to keep a larger group of Red Zebra Cichlids, you may need to invest in a tank that is 120 gallons or more. Just make sure you do your research to ensure you get the right red zebra cichlid tank size!
What Do Red Zebra Cichlids Eat
In order to keep the red zebra cichlids healthy and happy, you must understand what they eat. Red Zebra Cichlids prefer a diet rich in protein. They love live food like Brine Shrimp, Bloodworms, and Tubifex Worms. They also enjoy sinking pellets, flake food, and frozen food such as Mysis Shrimp. When it comes to vegetables, these fish are omnivores and enjoy blanched spinach or zucchini, and cooked peas.
To ensure a balanced diet, you should provide a variety of foods in small amounts. This will ensure your Red Zebra Cichlids are getting all the nutrition they need.
How Often Do Red Zebra Cichlids Breed
These fish can breed year-round with the right conditions, but the peak breeding times are usually in the spring and fall. During these times, the water temperatures will be just right for breeding and the fish will be more likely to mate.
However, before you breed your red zebra cichlids, you need to prepare the tank. Make sure the water is clean and the temperature is between 75- and 85-degrees Fahrenheit. You should also provide plenty of hiding places and plants for the fry to hide in.
With the right conditions, you can expect to see a new batch of red zebra cichlid fry in no time. It is easy and faster for the red zebra cichlids to breed since they mature sexually at three inches.
Conclusion
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