Jalo Reef Afra - Rons Cichlids
Jalo Reef Afra - Rons Cichlids
Jalo Reef Afra - Rons Cichlids
Jalo Reef Afra - Rons Cichlids

Jalo Reef Afra

$42.00
★★★★★ (14)
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Jalo Reef Afra

Cynotilapia zebroides (Jalo Reef)

The Jalo Reef Afra is a colorful Lake Malawi mbuna known for its rocky habitat behavior, strong male patterning, and active personality. It is a good fit for hobbyists who enjoy structured mbuna tanks with plenty of caves and territories.

Physical Characteristics

  • Size: Around 6 inches.
  • Coloration: Sexually dimorphic; mature males show stronger striping and display color, while females are more subdued.
  • Body Shape: Compact mbuna body with a streamlined profile for moving through rocks and caves.

Origin and Habitat

  • Native Region: Jalo Reef is in central Lake Malawi along the western side of the lake, close to Kaombe River, Kapeta, and Sungu Spit.
  • Natural Habitat: Upper rocky habitat, usually free of sediment; some populations also occur in intermediate habitats where large schools hover above sand and rocks. Territorial males remain.
  • Same-Locality Cichlids: Other cichlids recorded from Jalo Reef include 'Hemitaeniochromis' sp. 'spilopterus jalo' Jalo Reef, Aulonocara sp. 'jalo' Jalo Reef, Chindongo sp. 'elongatus mbenji brown' Jalo Reef, and Copadichromis borleyi 'Jalo Reef'.

Behavior and Temperament

  • Temperament: Mildly aggressive.
  • Social Behavior: Territorial around rockwork and best kept in a planned mbuna community with enough cover to spread out aggression.

Aquarium Care

  • Tank Size: A 55 gallon aquarium or larger is recommended for adult groups.
  • Water Parameters: 74-84°F, pH 7.4-8.4, hard water.
  • Tank Setup: Build rock piles with caves, ledges, and broken sightlines over a sand substrate. Maintain strong filtration and stable Lake Malawi water conditions.

Diet and Feeding

Breeding

  • Breeding Type: Maternal mouthbrooder.
  • Breeding Notes: Males display from rock territories. Females hold eggs and fry in the mouth, and released fry benefit from small caves or a separate grow-out tank.

Tank Mates

  • Compatible With: Similar-sized Lake Malawi mbuna with comparable temperament.
  • Avoid: Very peaceful fish, slow-moving community fish, and much larger aggressive cichlids.

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