Make sure that there is no possibility of hybridization if you intend to give away the offspring. The eggs can then be transferred to a separate tank to be hatched and raised. It is a delicate but not too difficult process. If you would like to keep a large amount of the fry, stripping the female of her eggs once they are fertilized can be done. They can be fed crushed flake flood once they are free-swimming. After about three weeks, the female will release her fry. It is believed that the eggs spots on the fins of many males can confuse the females into thinking that those spots are eggs and encourage her to stimulate the males. She will then scoop up the eggs into her mouth and stimulate the male to fertilize the eggs in her mouth. The female will usually lay about twenty or thirty eggs on a flat surface in the male’s territory. If you don’t see your fish breeding, it may be due to aggression in their tank, so you may need to create a more peaceful environment to encourage mating. They can be conditioned by feeding more frequently, but it usually isn’t necessary to encourage a spawn. Red zebras will be sexually mature at around 7.5cm. However, even the orange males can usually be distinguished by a lighter orange color and small flecks of iridescent blues, especially around their gill plates and head. Wild males will be blue in color, but many captive-bred specimens are orange just like the females. Males and females can be slightly difficult to tell apart depending on the strain. If conditions are suitable, these fish will breed quite easily. Even then, fatalities due to fighting are not uncommon. Most people who keep mbunas successfully long term overstock their tanks to ensure the often intense aggression is spread out among a large number of individuals. They appreciate the company of their own kind, but rival males will kill each other if there isn’t enough room for their aggression to be spread around. They are aggressive and do best in large tanks with other mbuna species. Red zebras are one of the more peaceful mbunas, but it certainly does not mean they can be kept in peaceful community aquariums. The occasional meaty treat such as mysis shrimp can be given, but use a lot of caution when giving mbuna any meaty food. Feed red zebras with commercial algae wafers, blanched vegetables, or spirulina flakes to avoid any complications. Otherwise, they are very prone to developing Malawi bloat which is difficult to treat and often fatal. Red zebras, like most mbuna, need a high amount of green matter in their diet. Otherwise, use artificial plants to add some greenery to their tanks. However, hardy plants such as Java fern, Java moss, and Anubias species can be kept successfully. Plants are most likely not a great idea as they will consume many of them, and most plants do not do well in the conditions these fish require. Otherwise, they can become susceptible to disease. Doing large, frequent water changes is necessary to keep red zebras happy and healthy. Red zebras also need low levels of dissolved pollutants to remain healthy. Adding rocks such as limestone to buffer and harden the water is also a good way to keep conditions favorable for them. There are also several commercial mixes available that replicate the water chemistry of the Africa Great Lakes. Adding an airstone or heavy circulation is recommended to keep the oxygen levels in the water high. Their native water has a very high oxygen and dissolved mineral content, and they need a high pH to thrive in the home aquarium. Red zebras are also quite picky about water quality. They will dart in and out of the crevices, establish territories, and graze for algae if the tank is to their liking. They like a lot of rocks in the aquarium to feel secure. In captivity, they appreciate a tank that replicates their home environment. Mbuna is a Tonga word meaning “rockfish,” and like all mbuna species, red zebras can be found in the wild scouring large, rock reefs for algae and other small organisms. They are usually labeled as OB in stores. Adding more to the confusion is that they are also one of the few species of Mbuna that can be mottled with black splotches on their body. These males only display flecks or iridescent blue. However, captive-bred lines started showing off males with a bright orange coloration instead of blue. Wild females display a deep orange or “red” coloration. Males in wild species display a bright blue coloration with vertical black bars of varying degrees of intensity. While they are plentiful in their habitat, they are considered vulnerable because of their limited range. The red zebra are native only to the reefs of Lake Malawi in Africa.
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