HomeFreshwater aquarium fishAfrican cichlidsRed zebra Red zebra (Maylandia estherae) Scientific name: Maylandia estherae Konings, 1995 The Red zebra (Maylandia estherae) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 14 cm (5.5 in). In the aquarium it needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 25–28°C (77–82°F) and a pH of 7.8–8.6. Native range: Africa, Endemic to Lake Malawi. Red zebra care at a glanceAdult size14 cm (5.5 in)Minimum tank210 L (55 US gal)Temperature25–28°C (77–82°F)pH7.8–8.6DietHerbivore. Accepts flakes and pellets. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 16 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Males light blue, females brown-beige or orange-red in color; lacking broad vertical bars on bodySource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameMaylandia estheraeFamilyCichlidae (Cichlids)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length7.9EnvironmentFreshwater; demersal, usually ? - 10 mClimateTropicalDistributionAfrica: Mozambique.Conservation status (IUCN)Vulnerable (VU) (D2)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More african cichlidsSciaenochromis fryeriEastern happyAstatotilapia callipteraNeolamprologus bifasciatusHaplochromis latifasciatusAltolamprologus calvusCallochromis pleurospilusSee all african cichlids SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026