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Johnston's placidochromis

Placidochromis johnstoni

Also known as Haplochromis johnstoni

FreshwaterFish

Johnston's placidochromis (Placidochromis johnstoni)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
119 gal
450 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Malawi

Overview

Johnston's placidochromis is a large, unhurried hap from Lake Malawi. It spends its time working the open floor and weed edges rather than defending ground. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The genus name Placidochromis means placid fish. It was named for exactly the temperament that Johnston's placidochromis shows.

Caring for the Johnston's placidochromis

Give Johnston's placidochromis at least 119 gal (450 L). It needs swimming length more than decor, so lay a sand bed with some cover and a long open swimming run.

Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Feed sinking granules and frozen foods. It takes its prey from the substrate and will sift sand to find it.

Keep a single male, or a male with females if the tank is long enough. It is mostly peaceful, so house it with other calm large haps, and choose any tank mates with caution. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and breeding it is moderately difficult.

Good to know

Johnston's placidochromis is the type species of Placidochromis, a genus in the family Cichlidae. A dark stripe runs from its snout through the eye to the tail. In some populations, the stripe is broken into separate blotches.

In the wild

Johnston's placidochromis ranges through the weedy shallows and sheltered margins of Lake Malawi. There it hunts invertebrates and small fish among the vegetation.

Common questions

What size tank does a Johnston's placidochromis need?

A Johnston's placidochromis needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Johnston's placidochromis need?

A Johnston's placidochromis is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does a Johnston's placidochromis eat?

A Johnston's placidochromis eats sinking granules and frozen foods. It feeds from the bottom, sifting the sand for prey.

How big does a Johnston's placidochromis get?

An adult Johnston's placidochromis reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

How does a Johnston's placidochromis breed?

Johnston's placidochromis is a maternal mouthbrooder. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Related species