{"product_id":"melanochromis-joanjohnsonae-melanochromis-joanjohnsonae","title":"Pearl of Likoma | Labidochromis joanjohnsonae","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pearl of Likoma is an attractive Lake Malawi cichlid, historically traded as \u003cem\u003eMelanochromis joanjohnsonae\u003c\/em\u003e but now placed in the genus \u003cem\u003eLabidochromis\u003c\/em\u003e. Reaching around 10 cm, it is unusually mild-mannered for a mbuna, which makes it one of the easier Rift Lake cichlids for a first African community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is endemic to Lake Malawi, where it is associated with the rocky habitat around Likoma Island. Here the water is hard, alkaline and very stable, and the fish forages over and among the rocks for algae and small invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species shows a pale blue to yellowish body marked with darker horizontal banding, and males intensify in colour when mature and displaying. It has the slender, tapered \"Labidochromis\" build. Adults reach roughly 10 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLess aggressive than most mbuna, it is still a territorial Rift Lake cichlid and shows its best temperament in a Malawi community where aggression is shared out. Keep it with other moderately assertive mbuna rather than very timid fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that grazes algae and picks at small invertebrates in the wild. Feed a varied diet based on spirulina and vegetable-rich flakes and pellets, with occasional frozen foods. Keep meaty and mammalian proteins modest to avoid Malawi bloat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide hard, alkaline water, plenty of rockwork with caves and territories, and good filtration. A tank of at least 150 litres suits a small group, with larger volumes making it easier to keep the peace. Regular water changes keep water quality high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. After spawning, the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks. It breeds readily in a well-maintained mbuna or species tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLabidochromis joanjohnsonae (syn. Melanochromis joanjohnsonae, Pseudotropheus joanjohnsonae)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePearl of Likoma, Exclamation Point Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi (Likoma Island), East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMildly aggressive \/ territorial (calm for a mbuna)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore – spirulina\/vegetable flakes and pellets, occasional frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–25 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMalawi mbuna \/ Rift Lake cichlid aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo – may nibble and dislodge plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther moderately peaceful mbuna such as yellow labs, Labidochromis and less boisterous Maylandia, kept in groups with a female-heavy ratio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery aggressive mbuna, peaceful community fish, long-finned species, and soft-water fish that cannot cope with hard, alkaline conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232772735267,"sku":null,"price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232772768035,"sku":"AA2988","price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Melanochromis_joanjohnsonae_6151b6eb-8115-41cb-9111-8b47433c7f6b.jpg?v=1781446530","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/melanochromis-joanjohnsonae-melanochromis-joanjohnsonae","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}