Zebra Obliquidens – Astatotilapia Latifasciata

Common name: Zebra Obliquidens

Scientific name: Astatotilapia Latifasciata

Average Adult Fish Size: 12.7 cm / 5 inches

Place of Origin: Lake Victoria

Typical Tank setup: Rocky Lake Victoria

Recommended Minimum Aquarium Capacity: 300 litres / 75 gallons

Compatibility: Mildly aggressive. Best kept with other Victorians or Malawians of the same size and temperament.

Temperature: 24-28 Deg C  / 76-82 Deg F

Water chemistry: pH 7.2 – 8.6

Feeding:  While carnivorous in the wild, this species will do well with a cichlid flake or pellet designed for African cichlids. Will also accept chunks of frozen brine shrimp or frozen beef heart. It is important for this species to get enough protein to get into breeding condition.

Sexing:  The belly of the males turn red and portions of the body turn yellow. Females remain greenish-brown with black or dark brown vertical stripes.

Breeding:  Prolific maternal mouthbrooders. Breeding is relatively easy with the correct water parameters and around a 1 to 4 male/female ratio. Females are also considerably colorful, although they lack the bursts of red and yellow that the males possess. Furthermore, they are prolific spawners and females will actually guard the fry for up to two months after release. That means they can be raised in the same tank with the parents.

Additional Information: A beautiful mid-sized fish