Are zebras really that bad?

[blue2fyre]

I keep hearing over and over about zebra type mbuna being very aggressive and don't get them. I hear this mostly about red zebras but I also hear it about ice blue. I mean are they really that bad? I have a cobalt, red, OB and ice blue zebras in my tank. I adore these fish but I'm worried once they are full grown they may end up being killers. Anyone have more experience?

[Nolapete]

Zebras are essentially the Convicts of the African cichlid world. They are mean and breed easily. If they are kept in densely populated groups, the aggression is lessened because it is distributed across a larger number of individuals. As long as you have enough individuals where no fish takes the brunt of the aggression, you'll be fine.

[GPRC]

I will never own another red zebra. That's the only fish we had problems with. He claimed one side of the 75g and had all the rest of the fish on the other, he caused complete havoc in our tank. I returned him to where I bought him, received nothing for him but our problems were over. :dance:

[April12]

I got 3 small red zebras when I set up my mbuna tank. The largest one killed the other two. He seems to get along fine with the other species, though. I just won't add any more zebras.

[blue2fyre]

Oh wow


Mine are all around the 3" mark and are aggressive but have yet to hurt any of my fish. I have 15 individuals in my 55 gallon. Hopefully that population is enough.

[GPRC]

Its hard to say really, personally I believe it depends on the individual fish. Ours never killed or injured another fish. To put it nicely, lets just say he was very horny. He tried to make it with whatever swam by, didn't matter who or what he'd give it a shot. Like I said he took over one half of our 75g and when that happened, he had to go. He was about 4" at the time.

Good luck!

[blue2fyre]

Well I'm fairly certain my red zebra is a female. Someday I'll catch her and know for sure but from what I've read she most likely is female. Maybe that will help a bit.

[mostlycichlids]

Well depends on what zebras you are talking about? In general they are not that aggressive if kept with species of similar aggression.