{"product_id":"melanochromis-johannii-melanochromis-johannii","title":"Bluegray Mbuna | Melanochromis johannii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanochromis johannii, the Bluegray Mbuna or Electric Blue Johanni, is a classic Lake Malawi cichlid known for the dramatic colour change between the sexes: mature males are deep blue-black while females and juveniles are bright orange-yellow. Reaching around 10 cm, it is beautiful but genuinely feisty, and is best kept by aquarists ready for the demands of a boisterous mbuna tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEndemic to the rocky coasts of Lake Malawi, this species lives in the shallow, rock-strewn zones where it grazes algae and defends small territories. The lake water is hard, alkaline and warm, with high oxygen and very stable chemistry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdult males are dark blue to almost black with electric-blue horizontal stripes, while females and young are a vivid orange-yellow. This striking sexual dichromatism makes a group very eye-catching. Adults reach about 8 cm, with dominant males up to 10 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an aggressive, highly territorial mbuna, particularly between males and towards similar-looking species. It needs a busy Malawi mbuna community with plenty of rock territories and a female-heavy ratio to spread aggression. It is not suitable for a peaceful community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a strong herbivorous leaning. Base the diet on spirulina and vegetable-rich flakes and pellets, with only occasional meaty or frozen treats. Excess protein raises the risk of the digestive disorder known as Malawi bloat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide hard, alkaline water, robust filtration and an aquascape of stacked rock with numerous caves. A tank of at least 150 litres is recommended, with larger volumes strongly preferred to manage aggression. Keep nitrate low with regular water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. The female holds the fertilised eggs in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. It spawns readily, and the colour difference between the sexes makes pairing easy to observe.\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\u003eMelanochromis johannii (also treated as Pseudotropheus johannii)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBluegray Mbuna, Electric Blue Johanni\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, 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\u003eAggressive, territorial\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 (herbivore-leaning) – spirulina\/vegetable flakes and pellets\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 – grazes and dislodges plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther robust mbuna of similar size, such as Maylandia, Pseudotropheus, Labidochromis and yellow labs, kept in groups with more females than males.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful community fish, long-finned species, small tetras, and any soft-water fish unsuited to hard, alkaline Rift Lake water. Avoid similarly coloured mbuna that trigger extra aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232772964643,"sku":"AA2254-S","price":10.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232772997411,"sku":"AA2254","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232773030179,"sku":"AA2254-L","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/melanochromis-johannii-melan-43878711394595.webp?v=1790305552","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/melanochromis-johannii-melanochromis-johannii","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}