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Photo of: Electric Blue Johannii (Melanochromis Johanni)
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Scientific Name(s): Melanochromis Johanni
Common Name(s): Electric Blue Johannii, Blue Johanni
Family: Cichlidae
Species Type: African Cichlids, Lake Malawi
Maximum Size: 5 inches
Life Span: 12 years
Natural Habitat: East African Lake Malawi
Minimum Tank Size: 29 gallons
Tank Region: All over
Possible Tank Mates: Other relatively aggressive mbunas such as Kenyi, Red Zebras, Meleanochromis Auratus
Description: Like all Melanochromis species, M. johannii has horizontally striped males and females of different colors. Males are a variable bluish black with pale blue or royal blue stripes. The dramatically different females are orange or yellow-orange with indistinct blackish stripes.
M. johannii is currently one of the more widely available mbuna species, at least in the USA. Unfortunately, like most members of the genus Melanochromis, this one has aggressive, territorial males which require a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork or other hiding places. If not provided with such quarters, the dominant male may pursue and kill any subdominant males and perhaps females that are not ready to spawn. Thus, this is emphatically not a fish for the novice cichlid keeper, even though it is beautiful and widely available.
Temperature Range 72°F - 80°F
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| 60°F |
65°F |
70°F |
75°F |
80°F |
85°F |
90°F |
| pH 5.0 |
pH 6.0 |
pH 7.0 |
pH 8.0 |
pH 9.0 |
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Diet: Omnivorous - Does well with flakes and pellets designed for african cichlids. Diet should be supplimented with green vegetables such as romaine lettuce, spinach, peas or zucchini.
Temperment: Males are very territorial and aggressive.
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African Catfish
