Goliad, Texas 77963
Fax 361.645.2258
Email goliadfish@goliadfarms.com
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Goliad Farms, INC. | 8497 FM 622 Goliad, Texas 77963 |
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361.645.2252 Fax 361.645.2258 Email goliadfish@goliadfarms.com |
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Contents
Fish
Cichlids |
Albino Zebra 
Albino Zebra is an aquarium strain of an mbuna cichlid from Lake Malawi in
eastern Africa. (Click here for a general discussion of
cichlids.) While we aren't certain of this fish's
parentage, we think it is an albino form of the old Pseudotropheus zebra. The nomenclature of
Pseudotropheus seems
to be in a state of permanent uproar. For the time being, this fish is probably
in the genus Metriaclima. Our strain is from a commercial source and was acquired in 2003. The top photo is a mature male about ten months old. The middle
photo is a "blue" female showing basically the same color pattern as
males. The bottom photo is a "pink" female.
Size: Males often reach 15cm (6 in.). Females are somewhat smaller. Description: Mature males are pink with pink eyes. Most males develop a sky blue sheen on the flanks and light blue fins. Females are either pink with pink eyes (see bottom photo) or blue with pink eyes (see middle photo). Sexes are very similar, but males generally sport more pointed fins, brighter and bluer coloration, more eggs spots and a more bulging forehead than females. We find them difficult to reliably sex before maturity.
Temperament: This fish is not aggressive for a cichlid, but males can be quarrelsome among themselves. They are active fish, constantly interacting with other fish. It can be kept either in a large single species aquarium or in active community aquaria with fish with similar behavior and requirements. Feeding: Feeding is simple with the fish taking prepared foods as well as live and frozen foods. Periodic feedings of Daphnia or other live foods are helpful in color maintenance, general health and breeding.
Additional Information:
For more information about this species, click on one of the following article
names: Additional Photos:
For additional photos of this species, click on one of the following photo
locations: Page last modified December 27, 2007. |
Environment:
This fish tolerates pHs from 6.5 to 8.0 while preferring pHs at near the higher
end (basic) of this range. Water hardness is not critical, but it prefers very
hard water. Optimum temperature ranges from 20-30°C (68-85°F).
Spawning:
We maintain breeding colonies of this cichlid consisting of a single male with
six to twenty females. This cichlid is a maternal mouth brooder. At 30°C (85°F),
females carry eggs and fry for about 21 days. Broods are smaller than those of
most cichlids, but can be as large as 40 fry for mature females. We do not strip
eggs or fry, but allow the females to carry them to natural release. The fry are
large and can eat commercial food, Daphnia, brine shrimp nauplii,
etc. immediately. The fry are rarely bothered by the adults, but in our system,
fry are provided abundant cover just to be sure.