The zebra cichlid is a extremely strung nervous fish, which dashes about the aquarium from one refuge to an additional, at a very quick speed. It is also fond of lying under an archway of piled stones.
Like most nervous fish, the colouring and markings of the zebra are volatile; very pronounced one minute and nearly gone the next. The body colouring varies from yellowish-white to light grey, the darker stripes on the sides extend into the dorsal fin, and there are yellowish spots between the dark markings on the dorsal. Emerald green outlines the sawtooth edges of the dorsal and anal fins.
Strangely sufficient, the zebra is a fish where the female boasts the much better markings. Even though the male has the exact same colouring, the female has much more brilliance.
Very warlike, it is important to maintain specimens over 2 inches long in a tank on their own. Even at this size they’ll attack much more peaceful fish. Their technique of attack would be to charge the victim with their tough heads, which soon kills. The jaws are so strong that they can crush a snail shell with one vicious snap. Fully grown adults reach 4 inches.
It breeds according to the standard description at a temperature of 80°F, but you should add lots of rocks and stone arches to offer protection for the weaker partner. This isn’t usually the female, but the smaller of the two.
The depressions in the sand in which the babies are reared are nearly usually hidden from view behind a rock or stone. A family is indicated if the parents seem interested in some shady nook.