Johanni cichlid (bluegray mbuna)

Melanochromis johannii, the Johanni or bluegray mbuna, inhabits the rocky coastal zones of the southeastern arm of Lake Malawi around Makanjila. It shows marked sexual dichromatism: dominant males are dark blue-black with two light-blue stripes, while females and juveniles are vivid orange-yellow, so a tank of both sexes is very colourful. Growing to about 10 cm, it is territorial and aggressive, particularly toward conspecifics, so keep one male with several females in a 250 litre or larger aquarium furnished with rock caves and retreats. Hard, alkaline water (pH 7.7-8.6) at 24-27C suits it best. Offer a mainly vegetarian diet based on spirulina and algae, with only occasional protein, to avoid digestive bloat. It is easily confused with the similar maingano; a maternal mouthbrooder that breeds readily.