Afra Cobue Cichlid (Cynotilapia Afra Cobue) - (No Online Purchases)

Name: Afra Cobue Cichlid / Cobue Afra - In store pick up only

Scientific Name: Cynotilapia zebroides “Cobue” — commonly sold as Cynotilapia afra “Cobue”.

Description: A colourful African mbuna cichlid, with mature dominant males displaying a blue body, bold dark vertical bars and a yellow to orange dorsal area. Females and juveniles are generally more subdued. Active and territorial, particularly around rock shelters and during breeding.

Origin: Lake Malawi, East Africa; the Cobue locality on the Mozambique shoreline.

pH: Approximately 7.8–8.6; prefers hard, alkaline water.

Temperature: Around 24–28°C.

Adult Size: Approximately 8–10 cm, with males generally larger than females.

Lifespan: Approximately 5–8 years with good care.

Food: Omnivorous. Feed quality small cichlid pellets or flakes, including spirulina-based foods, supplemented with small frozen foods such as cyclops, daphnia and brine shrimp. Offer a varied diet and avoid overfeeding or mammal meat.

Compatibility: Best kept with similarly sized Malawi mbuna of compatible temperament. Avoid peaceful community fish, very small fish and highly aggressive tank mates. Keep one male with several females where space allows, and provide ample shelters. Avoid mixing different Cynotilapia locality forms if breeding, as they may hybridise.

Habitat: Provide a spacious freshwater aquarium, preferably at least 120 cm long, with a sandy substrate and extensive, securely positioned rockwork. Create numerous caves, escape routes and visual barriers, while leaving open swimming areas. Maintain strong filtration, good oxygenation and regular water changes.