Red Zebra (mbuna)

Red Zebra (mbuna)

Metriaclima estherae

Pseudotropheus estherae

The Red Zebra, or Esther Grant's Zebra, (Maylandia estherae or Metriaclima estherae) is a Pseudotrophine cichlid. It is a rock dwelling fish, or mbuna, from Lake Malawi. This fish, like most cichlids from Lake Malawi, is a mouthbrooder—females hold their fertilized eggs, then fry, in their mouth until they are released after about 21 days.

The genus name for this fish was once Pseudotropheus but that name is now restricted to different fish. The current genus name is currently disputed, with some authorities using Maylandia and others using Metriaclima.

Females can grow up to 10 cm (4 in) while males will grow up to 12.7 cm (5 in).

Despite their "red zebra" name, these fish are most commonly solid orange, but they are sexually dimorphic, the males sometimes having reddish stripes.