Johanni Cichlid

• ExerciseHigh

  A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment6–10 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Bloat (GDV) · Ich (white spot) · Fin rot

The Johanni (Melanochromis johannii) is found along the south-eastern rocks of Lake Malawi and reaches about 8 to 10 cm, making it one of the smaller mbuna. The sexual dichromatism is extreme: females and immature fish are bright orange-yellow, while dominant males are almost black with two shining blue horizontal stripes. Fish sold as johanni are sometimes the very similar Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos, the maingano, which stays blue in both sexes. Provide 200 litres or more at 24-27C, pH 7.8 to 8.6, hard water and stacked rock with plenty of caves. Feed a vegetable-based staple of spirulina flake and algae wafers with only occasional frozen food, since like other mbuna it bloats on rich protein. Keep one male with several females, because two males in a modest tank will fight until one dies. It is aggressive but a step below auratus, and its small adult size makes it one of the more manageable mbuna for a first Malawi tank, provided nobody expects it to tolerate peaceful tankmates.

• How active is a Johanni Cichlid?

  High. A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• How much maintenance does a Johanni Cichlid need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Johanni Cichlid need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Johanni Cichlid a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Johanni Cichlid live?

  6–10 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Johanni Cichlid?

  Keep an eye out for Bloat (GDV), Ich (white spot), Fin rot. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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