Ice Blue Zebra

The ice blue zebra is one of the most eye-catching members of the Maylandia zebra group. The pale ice-blue body of mature males creates a strong contrast with the red-orange dorsal fin and orangish tail. Females, by contrast, are plain brownish in tone. Like other species of the zebra group it is hardy, but its males defend their territory fiercely.

• At least 250 liters and 120 cm in length for a harem and other mbuna.
• Rock piles with many caves that break lines of sight; the rocks are set on the bottom glass.
• Hard and alkaline water (pH 7.8–8.5); aragonite substrate or Malawi salt.
• Strong filtration and weekly 30–50% water changes.

Herbivorous; in the wild it feeds on the algae layer on the rocks. A spirulina-rich mbuna food and vegetables should be the staple; bloodworms and high-protein foods can lead to Malawi bloat.

Males claim a cluster of rocks and chase especially fish with blue and red tones. It hybridizes easily with other Maylandia species; no similarly colored zebra species should be kept in the same aquarium.

Good companions: yellow and orange mbuna such as the yellow lab, red zebra and auratus females, Synodontis catfish suited to hard water.

Avoid: other blue Maylandia species, calm Aulonocara and haps, community fish, shrimp and snails.