Metriaclima zebra 'Chilumba'

Metriaclima zebra 'Chilumba' is the locale-specific form of the iconic Zebra Cichlid collected from the Chilumba area on the northwestern shoreline of Lake Malawi. Males display the classic mbuna pattern of vibrant blue ground colouration with five to seven bold black vertical bars. Females are typically brownish-grey with faint barring, though OB (orange blotch) females occasionally appear in populations.

The Chilumba population is prized for the clarity and contrast of its barring compared to tank-bred specimens. In the aquarium it is highly territorial, competing aggressively for rock territories with conspecific males. A 1M:3–4F ratio in a spacious, rock-filled tank is the recommended management approach. The species is a reliable maternal mouthbrooder, with females incubating fry for 21–28 days. This is one of the founding mbuna species that established the Malawi cichlid hobby.

Water: 24–28°C, pH 7.8–8.5, hard (GH 10–25, KH 6–15); use Rift Lake salts to buffer soft tap water. Tank: Minimum 200 L with dense stacked rockwork; provide open sandy floor space for non-breeding fish. Feeding: Spirulina-rich flake and cichlid pellets; supplement with occasional algae wafers and vegetable matter. Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder; female holds 21–28 days; gentle stripping at 18 days to save fry is common practice. Compatibility: Suitable for mbuna community; avoid housing multiple M. zebra males; keep away from peaceful hap or peacock cichlids.