Melanochromis johanni >> aquarium-fish.info

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How to look afterMelanochromis johanni

Johanni Mbuna

Eccles, 1973

(Other members of the genus Melanochromis)

ADULT SIZE: 12 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Moderately hard and alkaline

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 25-28 C

FOOD: Feed Melanochromis johanni a predominantly vegetarian diet

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Lake Malawi

AQUARIUM CARE: Probably the least aggressive Melanochromis (certainly when compared to M. auratus and M. chipokae), though still quite boisterous like all mbunas. Best kept in a group, one male to several females. Sexing is simple as males are black with light blue patterning, whilst females (and juveniles) are generally yellow (see pictures). Like all mbunas it will graze on algae and plant matter, and should be fed foods with some vegetable component.

Best kept in a well-stocked mixed mbuna tank, or in a larger species group, preferably with two to three times the number of females than males. Tank décor should be rocky, with caves and passageways. Plants will usually be disturbed (with the exception of Anubias, java fern and perhaps Vallisneria.

For more about a typical tank set-up see Setting up a Lake Malawi Cichlid Aquarium.

BREEDING: A typical maternal mouthbrooder

Have you bred Melanochromis johanni? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Melanochromis johanni breeding reports

johanni males are considerably less aggressive than other Melanochronis species

Female Melanochromis johanni have a largely yellow body and fins, unlike males of the species which are entirely black/blue

BREEDING: A typical maternal mouthbrooder

Have you bred Melanochromis johanni? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

This page summarises breeding reports provided by visitors to this site, along with some statistical analysis. Please feel free to contribute – whatever your experience!

2 breeders have filled in breeding reports, a summary of the results are shown in the graphs below. You can read the full reports here.

To add details of your experiences of Melanochromis johanni, why not fill in a Breeding and maintenance Report.

Remember, each record represents only one persons experience; if you had different results, or used different methods, please share your experiences

Water conditions: Moderately hard and alkaline Water temperature: 20-23oC
Disposition: Somewhat aggresive on occasions Community tank?: Only with species of similar size
Spawning Method: Other (see below) Breeding problems:
Skewed sex ratio
Sex ratio: Somewhat female heavy Breeding difficulty: Easy
Sucess: Very sucessful Years Experience: 2
Other Comments:
Date this record created: 20th August 2011 Breeding date: 2011
Breeder: Thomas Location: Hilton Head Island, SC
Water conditions: Moderately hard and alkaline Water temperature: 24-27oC
Disposition: Somewhat aggresive on occasions Community tank?: Only with species of similar size
Spawning Method: Adult fish removed from tank Breeding problems:
Poor fry survival rate
Sex ratio: Breeding difficulty: Very easy
Sucess: Fairly sucessful Years Experience: 1
Other Comments:
Date this record created: 1st July 2009 Breeding date: 2009
Breeder: Location: