Original description as Pseudotropheus fainzilberi:
ZooBank:18B4CD45-FB8D-46E8-B886-3C58D0354DCF.
- Staeck, Wolfgang. 1976. "Ergebnisse einer ichthyologischen Sammelreise zum Nordende des Nyassasees". Aquarium Aqua Terra. pp. 486-492 (crc00183)
Conservation: Metriaclima fainzilberi is evaluated by the international union for the conservation of nature in the iucn red list of threatened species as (LC) least concern (2018). Metriaclima fainzilberi is nowhere rare or threatened. It is one of the most common mbuna in its range.