fish · Cichlidae
Cobalt zebra
Maylandia callainos
Wild range: Endemic to Lake Malawi; originally Nkhata Bay / northern rocky shore (Kande–Ngara west coast and northern Tanzania east coast); introduced to Likoma, Namalenje, and Thumbi West islands (Africa)
At a glance: Cobalt zebra care
Compiled reference information. Review the care notes and original sources below.
What temperature is listed for Cobalt zebra?
The compiled profile lists 24.0–28.0 °C for Cobalt zebra (Maylandia callainos). Check the original sources below for context and differing recommendations.
What tank size is listed for Cobalt zebra?
The profile lists a minimum tank volume of 55.0 US gallons (208.0 liters). Volume alone does not establish suitability; consider dimensions, group size and other inhabitants alongside the full care notes.
What pH is listed for Cobalt zebra?
The compiled profile lists a pH of 7.5–8.5. Review the cited care sources alongside the other water parameters in this profile.
Natural habitat
Lake Malawi mbuna of rocky shores (often to ~25 m); classic aufwuchs grazer that places the mouth perpendicular to rock and combs algal strands (AquaInfo, FishBase, Wikipedia citing Ribbink/Stauffer literature). Cobalt-blue morph lacks the vertical bars typical of the M. zebra complex.
Where they are found
Catalog primary locked as Maylandia callainos (Stauffer & Hert, 1992) per trade, inventory, FishBase SpecCode 47109 (accepted), Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes Current status Valid as Maylandia callainos (Stauffer & Hert 1992) (originally Pseudotropheus callainos Stauffer & Hert 1992; type locality Nkhata Bay, Lake Malawi, 3–4 m; CoF spid 60074; Cichlidae: Pseudocrenilabrinae), sibling Maylandia zebra/estherae/lombardoi catalog rows, and IUCN Least Concern (Konings 2018 as Metriaclima callainos; assessment 2018-06-20; taxon 61134 / e.T61134A47236276). ITIS TSN 648749 currently stands as Metriaclima callainos (valid) — Metriaclima combination retained in aliases per Scott naming rule (trade/CoF/FishBase Maylandia primary; Metriaclima/Pseudotropheus as synonyms). Historical/combination synonyms: Pseudotropheus callainos (original combination), Metriaclima callainos. Trade/common names: Cobalt zebra, Cobalt blue zebra, Cobalt blue mbuna, Cobalt blue zebra cichlid, Blue cobalt cichlid; also sold historically as Pseudotropheus zebra "pearly"; pale "Pearl zebra" / white form and OB female morphs exist (Seriously Fish, AquaInfo). Distinct from catalog zebra-mbuna (*Maylandia zebra*) and red-zebra-cichlid (*Maylandia estherae*) — cobalt blue morph of M. callainos is the trade "cobalt zebra", not a separate species. Order locked Cichliformes to match sibling cichlid catalog rows.
Aquarium care
Iconic solid cobalt-blue Lake Malawi mbuna sold as cobalt zebra / cobalt blue zebra (Seriously Fish, AquaInfo, aquariumstocking, Atlarium, aqua-fish.net). Lock ≥55 US gal / ~208 L (≥120 cm / 48" footprint preferred; AquaInfo ≥150 cm; aquariumstocking 55 gal min / 75 recommended; Atlarium ≥100 L with 120 cm tank; Seriously Fish ~108 L footprint noted as species-tank floor — locked 55 US gal practical colony floor matching sibling mbuna). Sand or aragonite substrate and extensive piled rockwork with caves and sight-line breaks; soft plants will be eaten (Anubias/Java fern on rock may survive). Water: locked 24–28°C, pH 7.5–8.5, GH 10–25 (Seriously Fish 24–28 / 7.6–8.8 / 8–25; FishBase wild 24–26 / 7.5–8.3 / dH 5–30; AquaInfo table 22–26 / 7.5–8.5 / 12–16; aquariumstocking 24–28 / 7.5–8.8 / 10–20; Atlarium 24–28 / 7.8–8.6 / 10–25; aqua-fish.net 23–25 / 7–8.4 / 10–26 — locked overlapping Malawi band 24–28 / 7.5–8.5 / 10–25; SF upper pH 8.8 and AquaInfo lower temp 22 noted but not required). Strong filtration, high dissolved oxygen, regular water changes; moderate flow with surface agitation. Keep one male with ≥3–4 females; densely stock with dissimilar-looking mbuna to diffuse aggression. Do not mix with similarly solid-blue Maylandia/Metriaclima lookalikes (hybridization / ID confusion with blue M. estherae males).
Feeding
Wild diet is herbivorous aufwuchs grazing (algae, diatoms, and incidental micro-invertebrates scraped from rock) (AquaInfo, Seriously Fish, Atlarium, aquariumstocking). In aquaria treat as herbivore: spirulina / vegetable Malawi pellets and flakes as staple, plus blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, peas) and nori; limit animal protein (brine shrimp/mysis as rare treats only) (AquaInfo, Seriously Fish, aquariumstocking, Atlarium, aqua-fish.net). Feed modest portions 1–2× daily; never tubifex, bloodworms, or beef heart — primary Malawi-bloat risk for this species.
Compatibility
Aggressive territorial mbuna toward conspecifics and similarly colored blue mbuna — not a peaceful community or peacock/Utaka tankmate (Seriously Fish, AquaInfo, aquariumstocking, Atlarium). Best with other similarly assertive, dissimilar-looking mbuna (e.g. yellow labs, differently colored Maylandia) in a densely stocked hard-water tank; Synodontis that tolerate high pH are classic companions. Avoid similarly solid-blue Maylandia/Metriaclima and other lookalikes. One mature male per typical tank; multiple males need a large multi-territory footprint. Not communitysafe or nanook at the 55 gal floor.
Breeding
Readily bred maternal mouthbrooder (Seriously Fish, AquaInfo, Atlarium, aquariumstocking, aqua-fish.net). Best as a harem of one male with ≥3–4 females so no single female is harassed. Male displays and claims a flat rock or cave entrance; female lays and immediately buccal-incubates eggs for ~21–28 days (Seriously Fish up to 3–4 weeks; Atlarium/aquariumstocking 21–28; AquaInfo ~3 weeks), then releases free-swimming fry. Target spawn water ~pH 8.2–8.5 and ~25–26.5°C (Seriously Fish). Fry accept Artemia nauplii and crushed spirulina foods from release. Stressed holding females may spit or eat the brood — provide caves and move carefully; artificial stripping at ~14–21 days is expert-only.
Sources
Compiled from multiple independent care sheets — not copied from a single site.