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Ice blue zebra (Maylandia greshakei) — Cichlidae

Ice blue zebra

Maylandia greshakei
Family: Cichlidae

The Ice blue zebra (Maylandia greshakei) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
15.0–35.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The ice blue zebra is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 13 cm; dominant males are light blue with orange dorsal and tail fins, females drab brown. As a rock-dweller it grazes algal growth from stones in the shore zone of the lake. It is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ice blue zebra?

The Ice blue zebra has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Ice blue zebra live?

The Ice blue zebra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Ice blue zebra get?

The Ice blue zebra grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Ice blue zebra dangerous to humans?

No, the Ice blue zebra is harmless to humans.

Is the Ice blue zebra edible?

Yes, the Ice blue zebra is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
IJsblauwe mbuna sourced
English name
Ice blue zebra sourced
Scientific name
Maylandia greshakei
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Pseudotropheus ice blue; William's mbuna verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.4 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Maylandia

More from the family Cichlidae

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