Care guide, husbandry, breeding, disease, sourcing, and tankmate intelligence on Red Zebra Cichlid - written by the Fast Aquatics editorial team and cross-verified against vendor records on the live marketplace.
Red Zebra Cichlid (Maylandia estherae) is a freshwater fish kept by aquarists for community + species-specific freshwater displays. Suitable for keepers with 6-12 months of experience and stable water chemistry.
Where Red Zebra Cichlid comes from
Red Zebra Cichlid (Maylandia estherae) is native to specific tropical and subtropical freshwater systems. The captive-bred Red Zebra Cichlid sold at most LFS comes from generations of farmed stock and is generally hardier and better-acclimated to tank conditions than wild-caught equivalents. Wild specimens are occasionally available for keepers chasing original-bloodline coloration or biotope-accurate stocking.
Red Zebra Cichlid tank size and setup
Red Zebra Cichlid requires a minimum of 55 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (5 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern. Most Red Zebra Cichlid sold at small juvenile size will reach full adult size within 12-24 months and the system must be sized to the adult, not the juvenile.
For a Red Zebra Cichlid setup: tank sized for the adult footprint, HOB or canister filter rated 4-6x tank volume, dechlorinated water, appropriate temperature heater, and stocking-appropriate hardscape and plants.
Red Zebra Cichlid prefers freshwater parameters: Temperature: 74-80°F pH: 6.5-7.5 GH: 4-12 dGH KH: 3-8 dKH Ammonia + nitrite: Both 0 ppm Nitrate: Under 20 ppm long-term Copper: 0 (especially critical for invertebrates)
Use dechlorinator on every water change. Test parameters weekly during cycling, biweekly once stable. Stable consistency beats sliding-scale "ideal" parameters.
What Red Zebra Cichlid eats
Red Zebra Cichlid is a omnivore. Eats a varied diet of pellets, frozen foods, and supplemental greens. Quality flake or pellet (Hikari, New Life Spectrum, Tetra) plus frozen mysis or bloodworms 2-3x weekly produces best color and behavior. Feed Red Zebra Cichlid appropriately for its size + activity level. Overfeeding is the #1 cause of water-quality crashes in tanks of all sizes.
Red Zebra Cichlid tankmates and compatibility
Red Zebra Cichlid works in community tanks with peaceful species in similar size class. Adult-size matters more than purchase-size when planning stocking. Avoid mixing aggressive with passive species.
Browse care guides for tankmate-compatibility tables for Red Zebra Cichlid and similar species.
Red Zebra Cichlid adult size and lifespan
Red Zebra Cichlid reaches 5 inches at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 8-10 years with proper care. Most freshwater species live 3-10 years; larger species (oscars, plecos, knifefish) reach 10-20+ years.
Can you breed Red Zebra Cichlid?
Red Zebra Cichlid can be bred in dedicated breeding tanks with appropriate setup and water-chemistry triggers. Most cichlids are substrate or cave spawners; provide flat surface or cave, condition the pair with high-protein food, and trigger spawning with a 25% cool water change.
Common Red Zebra Cichlid diseases and problems
Red Zebra Cichlid is susceptible to standard freshwater diseases (ich, columnaris, fin rot, bacterial infections). Quarantine new Red Zebra Cichlid for 4 weeks before adding to your display tank. Treat fish in a separate hospital tank to avoid affecting plants and inverts. Most disease outbreaks trace back to poor water quality, chronic stress, or skipped quarantine.
Where to buy Red Zebra Cichlid online
Red Zebra Cichlid is sold at LFS (local fish stores), online retailers, and direct from breeders/wholesalers. Pricing varies widely by source, size, and quality:
Browse live Red Zebra Cichlid from vetted Fast Aquatics vendors with carrier-tracked overnight shipping (FedEx Priority + UPS Next Day), climate-aware hold logic, and a 4-hour DOA window with photo-evidence claims. Captive-bred or aquacultured specimens cost more upfront but arrive healthier and integrate faster.
Red Zebra Cichlid FAQ
How big does Red Zebra Cichlid get?
5 inches at adulthood within 12-24 months.
How long does Red Zebra Cichlid live?
8-10 years with proper care.
What is the minimum tank/pond size?
55 gallons, with larger systems strongly recommended.
Is Red Zebra Cichlid hard to keep?
Red Zebra Cichlid is rated intermediate difficulty.
What does Red Zebra Cichlid eat?
Red Zebra Cichlid is a omnivore; appropriate diet matches its natural feeding pattern.
Red Zebra Cichlid taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.