The male Zebra Obliquidens Cichlid typically displays five, large horizontal black bars that start out wider from the top, or dorsal side, and narrow as they reach the belly. Between the black bars, the color can be silver to a greenish-gold color. Mature males will display a red belly. Female Zebra Obliquidens Cichlids look similar to males with a slightly more silver overall coloration between the black bars and do not display any red coloration.
A large aquarium with plenty of caves and hiding places is ideal for the Zebra Obliquidens Cichlid. Caves can be formed from limestone or any other type of inert rock, as well as African Driftwood. An aragonite-based substrate is recommended in order to maintain the necessary high pH and alkalinity.
 
Like most African Cichlids, Zebra Obliquidens is a mouthbrooder. Provide large flat rocks for the pair to spawn on. After the fry hatch and are released they can then be fed newly hatched brine shrimp, daphnia, or crushed flake food. The mother will protect the fry once released and free-swimming.
The Zebra Obliquidens Cichlid is an omnivore and should be offered a wide variety of food items including blood worms, brine and mysis shrimp, spirulina, as well as prepared flake and pellet cichlid foods.