{"product_id":"blueberry-zebra-cichlid-metriaclima-estherae","title":"Blueberry Zebra Cichlid (Metriaclima estherae)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBlueberry Zebra Cichlid (Metriaclima estherae) - Vivid Blue Malawi Mbuna for Serious Cichlid Keepers\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blueberry Zebra Cichlid (Metriaclima estherae) is a striking Lake Malawi mbuna, instantly recognisable for its deep powder-blue body overlaid with bold black vertical barring that intensifies as it matures. Native to the rocky shorelines of Lake Malawi, this cichlid brings dramatic colour and constant activity to a dedicated African cichlid setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike most mbuna, the Blueberry Zebra is a confident, territorial fish that stakes out caves and rocky outcrops as its own, sparring readily with tankmates of similar size and temperament. Its hardy constitution and bold personality make it a rewarding centrepiece for hobbyists who understand the space and water chemistry a rift lake cichlid demands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt N8 Aquatics, our fish are carefully raised and conditioned to ensure healthy stock suited to home aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #2d5f3f; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eSpecies Snapshot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize Sold:\u003c\/strong\u003e Juvenile, approx. 3–5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–14 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 200 L minimum, with rockwork and caves for territories\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-aggressive, territorial — keep only with other robust African cichlids of similar size, not a peaceful community fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24–27°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.8–8.6\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #2d5f3f; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eIdeal Habitat and Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecreate a rocky Lake Malawi biotope with plenty of caves and hiding spots to break sightlines and diffuse aggression; hard, alkaline water is essential for this species, unlike the soft-water needs of most tropical fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24–27°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.8–8.6\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate to strong, with efficient filtration to handle bioload\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Weekly partial water changes to maintain stable, mineral-rich water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #2d5f3f; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA varied, herbivore-leaning diet keeps this species' colours vibrant and its digestion healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-quality cichlid pellets as a staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpirulina-based flake for plant matter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOccasional frozen foods as a treat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid excess high-fat foods, which can cause bloat in mbuna\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #2d5f3f; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blueberry Zebra does best in a species-only African cichlid tank stocked with fish of similar size and temperament.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable tankmates include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther Lake Malawi mbuna of similar size\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRobust, similarly-tempered African cichlids\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot suited to plants, which will be uprooted or eaten\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid aggressive or fin-nipping species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #2d5f3f; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eWhy Buy From N8 Aquatics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarefully raised aquarium fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHealthy, well-conditioned stock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong genetics and vibrant colouration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBreeder support if you have questions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #2d5f3f; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003ePickup Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eN8 Aquatics currently operates as a local pickup-only breeder in Central Queensland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrders are collected by appointment after purchase confirmation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease ensure you are able to collect your fish before placing an order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #2d5f3f; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eImportant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll livestock sold by N8 Aquatics should be introduced to fully cycled aquariums suitable for the species being kept.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease ensure your aquarium setup and tankmates are appropriate before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"N8 Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"7cm","offer_id":47863500570729,"sku":"PISCES-17719","price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"10cm","offer_id":47863500603497,"sku":"PISCES-17724","price":38.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/n8aquatics.com\/products\/blueberry-zebra-cichlid-metriaclima-estherae","provider":"N8 Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}