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Metriaclima callainos "Mkondiwa Reef"


Metriaclima callainos is living in rocky environments. They can be found along the northwestern coast of the lake from Kande Island to Ngara and also along the northeastern coast between Ikombe and Puulu Island. The so-called blue "Cobalt Zebra" can be found between Kande Island and Mbowe. The white "Zebra Pearl" is found along the western coast between Ruarwe and Ngara and along the eastern coast north of Puulu. Near Chitande Island is living a third colorform which exists of "Cobalt Blue" males with white OB females. In all these populations sometimes you can find seldom "marmelade cats". This variant can be found near a reef that the locals call Mkondiwa Reef; an elongated reef which is completely lying under water and stretches itself hundreds of meters in southern direction from Nakantenga Island however it´s probably connected with this island.
However, like already described above, this white variant is only authentic in the northern part of the lake but it is probably deported to the neighbourhood of Nakantenga Island / Mkondiwa Reef in the past like it happened with several other species which can be found in the southern part of the lake nowadays.
In trade this variant is offered with different names like Metriaclima callainos "Kambiri Reef", Metriaclima callainos "Kambiri New Reef" and Metriaclima callainos "New Reef"; however, these are not the right names because they do not indicate the correct location where they were caught.


In the lake the males of these species can grow to 12 cm, in the aquarium however they can grow taller because of a good feeding. The males can then grow to about 14 cm, females grow to about 11 cm.


Metriaclima callainos can behave intolerant against equal species, against other inhabitants they are in general tolerant. You can best keep this species with multiple females and other mbuna in an aquarium with a lot of hiding places.


In the lake they are mainly feeding themselves with algae, invertebrates and plankton. In the aquarium they are comfortable with any food. They take everything they get offered, like spirulina pellets, mysis, artemia, cyclops and shrimp-peas mix. Food rich of algae like spirulina pellets or flakes is very important to them so this should not be missing on their menu.