AQUADINE CICHLID DURAFLAKE FULL
Proteins, fatty acids, color enhancers, full vitamin Starches which encapsulates the proteins to protect them from Manufacturing process nutrients are retained longer and flakesĪre more highly concentrated. This premium flake is a technological breakthrough with numerousĪdvantages over traditional flakes. About this item Premium blend of ingredients for all cichlids and guppies Nutritious formula enriched with quality Spirulina Natural ingredients to bring out brilliant colors in fish More efficiently digested less waste in tank Packaged in a 2.0 Lb.Several wholesalers list this fish, but not often the "red" variety. As of this writing, there are a few GCCA members who have the fish. Metriaclima estherae "red" is something of a hobbyist's fish at the moment and it has not yet become highly popular outside of "cichlidiot" circles. My guess is that young adults would go for $12-18. I have not seen this fish in local pet stores. Some peace and quiet generally gets them in the mood. If your fish aren't "getting busy", remove the agressive fish from the tank. This fish occasionally is inihibited from spawning by more aggressive tank mates. That's about it.īrood sizes are similar to many other Pseudotropheus species about 20-30 eggs.įemales are good holders, although for production I generally strip females at a couple days post-spawning and artificially raise the eggs. Provide a flat stone or piece of slate for the "act".
To breed the fish, condition them on a variety of foods by feeding twice a day. Males of the "red" type, exhibit a powder blue sheen on the dorsal fin and a pointed anal fish with conspicuous egg spots. Metriaclima estherae is one of the easier cichlids to breed and it does so in typical Malawian fashion. I think you'll agree from the photo above.įolks who know me understand that I'm usually first in line to try just about any yellow or orange-colored cichlid, so I was prepared to bid high in when Scott brought in fry to the BAP auction. Scott is quite a discerning hobbyist so it was no surprise to me that these fish turned out to be something special. The "red" morph was the type he was seeking for some time and was finally able to obtain. I obtained six young fry from Scott Moreen of the GCCA. They are omnivorous, so a good mix of fish-based and vegetable-based food is a good idea. I fed Tetra Cichlid Flakes, Aquadine Duraflakes, Tetra Cichlid Sticks, spirulina flakes and earthworm flakes. Metriaclima estherae will eagerly consume a variety of prepared foods. Females attain a maximum size of 4" or so. Males of the species get up to about 4.5". I have not observed aggession or mate killing. I kept mine with some more aggressive Malawians with no trouble. Provide regular, partial water changes, a temperature of 76-80F and moderately hard water. Maylandia estherae is hardy and easy to keep.
You should have little trouble caring for this cichlid. Metriaclima estherae is found over rocky areas in the lake near reef structures. The species name "estherae" (and common name Esther Grant's Zebra was chosen by Konings to honor Esther Grant, the well-known wife of cichlid exporter Stuart Grant. Blue males and Yellow females from Minos Reef.Blue males and OB (spotted) females from from Meluluca, Mozambique.Blue males and Red females from Minos Reef.Red males and Red females (actually orangy-yellow to yellow, see above) from Minos Reef.Maylandia estherae can be difficult to identify because several color morphs are available Konings has shown that this fish is different enough from the popular Pseudotropheus zebra types to merit it's own genus. Metriaclima estherae (aka Pseudotropheus esteherae and Maylandia estherae) is a robust Malawian mouthbrooder first typed by Ad Konings in 1995, although it had been exported since the 1970's. Above A 4-inch Maylandia estherae "red" male.