Johanni Cichlid care guide
Johanni Cichlid (Melanochromis johannii) — minimum tank 300 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Melanochromis johannii is a Malawi mbuna with extreme sexual dichromatism: adult males are blue-black with two pale horizontal stripes, while females and juveniles are bright orange-yellow. Adults reach about 12 cm. The species is endemic to a single section of the Tanzanian shore.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Melanochromis
- Scientific name: Melanochromis johannii
- Common synonyms: Bluegray Mbuna
Habitat
Endemic to the rocky shore (mbuna zone) of Lake Malawi in the African Rift Valley, where it lives over wave-washed boulder slopes. The lake is exceptionally hard and alkaline — pH 7.8-8.6, KH 6-15 — and warm year round. The species is highly site-attached and territorial males defend small rock caves.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L (79.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 10-12 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
In the wild it grazes the aufwuchs layer of algae, biofilm and associated micro-invertebrates that coats the rocks. In aquaria a vegetable-rich diet of spirulina and algae-based cichlid pellets, blanched vegetables and occasional frozen brine shrimp is appropriate; high-protein foods such as bloodworm should be avoided to prevent "Malawi bloat".
Compatibility
Aggressive and territorial; best kept in a large mbuna community with several other rock-dwelling species so that aggression is dispersed. A typical stocking is one male to several females (1:3-4). Avoid mixing with very different lake faunas (e.g., New World cichlids) and with similar-coloured congeners that may hybridise.
Breeding
A polygamous maternal mouthbrooder. The male defends a small rock territory, displays to passing females and entices each to spawn on a flat surface; the female collects the eggs into her mouth immediately and incubates them for about three weeks before releasing free-swimming fry.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: see species page. The Lake Malawi cichlid radiation has been intensively assessed; most mbuna are evaluated and many are categorised Least Concern, though species with restricted ranges along single sub-shores are more vulnerable.
Johanni Cichlid (Melanochromis johannii) Breeding Guide
Overview
Melanochromis johannii is an aggressive mbuna endemic to Lake Malawi, recorded around Masinje Rocks and Cape Ngombo. Males reach about 12 cm and females about 10 cm. It is a maternal mouthbrooder with marked sexual colour difference.
Sexing
Sexing is straightforward in mature fish: males are blue-black with bright blue striping while females are orange in colour, and males tend to be slightly larger. The male also carries the egg-shaped spots on the anal fin used in fertilisation. Young fish are less obvious, as immature males share the females' orange tone and only acquire the dark male colouration as they mature, so a settled group should be sexed once the fish are clearly adult.
Conditioning
Condition the group with plenty of live, frozen and vegetable foods. Keep the water alkaline and stable, with a pH around 8.2-8.5 and a temperature of about 25-27 degrees Celsius (77-80 degrees Fahrenheit).
Breeding Setup
An aquarium of around 90 cm (a 36-inch tank) with flat stones and areas of open substrate provides spawning sites. Keep a harem of one male and at least three females to manage the species' aggression.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The female lays her eggs and takes them into her mouth. She is attracted to the egg spots on the male's anal fin and, when she attempts to collect them, she receives the sperm that fertilises the clutch.
Egg & Fry Care
The female carries the eggs for around three weeks before releasing the free-swimming fry. The fry are large enough to take brine shrimp nauplii from the time of release.
Common Challenges
This is a highly aggressive species, so it is best kept as a single male with several females in a large rocky tank; if too few females are present, the male's persistent pursuit can exhaust or injure them. A stressed holding female may release the brood early if disturbed, so a quiet spot in the rockwork or a move to a holding tank protects the developing fry. To keep fry pure, do not house it with similarly patterned Melanochromis that could hybridise.