This species is often available under the trade name Xenotilapia Boulengeri. Members of the genus prefer life close to the bottom, especially over sandy or muddy areas. They are active diggers, particularly at breeding time, and may be harassed by some of the more aggressive African Rift Lake cichlid species.
This is one of the “keystone” species of the African Rift Lake cichlid hobby. Numerous morphs occur in the wild, and male coloration is very different to that of the female. Some of the types are incapable of interbreeding, and this has given rise to the belief that they may constitute separate species, rather than morphs. As a result, the collection of all these intimately related species/morphs is referred to as the “zebra complex.” The new name, Metriaclima, was erected in 1997 and now includes several new species that would formerly have been regarded as Pseudotropheus.