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Cynotilapia zebroides (formerly known as Cynotilapia afra) has a lot of geographical variants which can be found all around the lake. However, in these different populations also exist many different color patterns. It's possible to find territorial males within a range of a few meters with a white, black, orange or yellow dorsal fin. They are living in the deeper rocky environments but also in intermediate zones from rocks to sand. All these variants have their own specific color pattern and also different trade names like Cynotilapia zebroides "Thumbi West" is one of them. This Cynotilapia zebroides variant, which is an original species from the northern part of the lake, was deported to Thumbi West Island some decades ago. There they started cross-breeding with the local Metriaclima zebra. As a result of this, you can still find hybrids there on site. In the lake the males of these species can grow to 9 cm, in the aquarium however they can grow taller because of a good feeding. The males can then grow to about 12 cm, females grow to about 9 cm. Cynotilapia zebroides "Thumbi West" can behave intolerant against equal species but also to other inhabitants. You can best keep this species with multiple females and a lot of hiding places in the aquarium. In the lake, they feed primarily on plankton but also with algae that grow on the rocks. 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. 
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