How can I tell the difference between male and female Cobalt Blue Zebras?

Sexing can be challenging as both are bright blue. However, males are generally slightly larger, develop a more robust head profile, and usually display brighter, more pronounced yellow egg spots on their anal fin.

Why does my Cobalt Blue Zebra have a swollen belly and refuse to eat?

This is a classic symptom of 'Malawi bloat', a serious and often fatal condition usually caused by feeding too much animal protein. Treatment requires immediate dietary correction and specific medication, though prevention through a strict vegetable-based diet is much more effective.

How many Cobalt Blue Zebras should I keep together?

It is best to keep them in a harem of one male to at least three or four females. This disperses the male's relentless breeding aggression and prevents any single female from being harassed to death.

Can I keep Cobalt Blue Zebras with South American cichlids like Oscars or Severums?

No. They require completely different water conditions (hard and alkaline versus soft and acidic). Furthermore, the hyper-aggressive, fast-paced nature of mbuna will severely stress most South American species.

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

Cobalt Blue Zebra

Maylandia callainos

The Cobalt Blue Zebra is a vibrant, rock-dwelling mbuna cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, famed for its striking, solid blue colouration and feisty temperament.

List this species for sale Find Cobalt Blue Zebra near me

Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 24 – 28 °C
pH range: 7.8 – 8.6
Hardness: 10 – 25 dGH
Adult size: 10 – 13 cm
200L minimum for a small harem: 200 litres+
Lifespan: 8 – 10 years
Diet: Herbivore
Water flow: Moderate
Preferred setup: Extensive rockwork reaching the surface to create numerous caves and visual barriers. Sandy substrate.

About the Cobalt Blue Zebra

Belonging to the bustling mbuna group, Maylandia callainos stands out due to its unblemished, powdery cobalt-blue hue. Unlike many related species, it lacks the distinct vertical barring typically associated with 'zebra' cichlids. Both males and females share this brilliant blue attire, making it a highly popular choice for adding a solid wash of colour to a rift lake biotope.

Find Cobalt Blue Zebra

Search current listings in your chosen area. If none are available, save an alert and we’ll let you know when a match is listed.

Find locally Check compatibility Add to a Setup

Availability alerts only use public sale listings. Adding this species to a Setup updates your private records.

Is it right for your tank?

Check Cobalt Blue Zebra against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Cobalt Blue Zebra comes from

Native range

Lake Malawi, East Africa

Countries / regions

Malawi

Habitat

Sediment-free, rocky shorelines and boulder-strewn littoral zones.

Originally found around Nkhata Bay and the north-western coast of Lake Malawi, but has since been introduced to other islands within the lake.

Similar species

Red Zebra Cichlid
Maylandia estherae
Kenyi Cichlid
Maylandia lombardoi
Pindani
Chindongo socolofi

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Yellow Labidochromis
Labidochromis caeruleus
Offers a stark colour contrast that will not trigger conspecific aggression, and possesses a relatively mild temperament for an mbuna.
Great
Cuckoo Catfish
Synodontis multipunctatus
Thrives in the same hard, alkaline water and is robust enough to easily brush off mbuna aggression.
Great
Rusty Cichlid
Iodotropheus sprengerae
A moderately aggressive mbuna with entirely different colouration, minimising the risk of territorial clashes.
Great
Demasoni Cichlid
Chindongo demasoni
Their blue colouration and highly aggressive nature can lead to fierce territorial disputes if the aquarium is not large enough.
Compatible with caution
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Requires soft, acidic water and will be relentlessly bullied and injured by the highly aggressive mbuna.
Not recommended

Current marketplace listings

Checking the marketplace…

See all Cobalt Blue Zebra listings

Public Wanted requests

No open requests for Cobalt Blue Zebra in this market yet.

Looking for Cobalt Blue Zebra?

Search current listings near you, or post a wanted request so local sellers know what you’re looking for.

Search Cobalt Blue Zebra listings Post a wanted request