Pearl of Likoma
Labidochromis joanjohnsonae
Also known as Melanochromis joanjohnsonae, Melanochromis exasperatus
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 3.9 in
- 10 cm
- Minimum tank
- 45 gal
- 170 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Hard
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
Overview
The pearl of Likoma is a Lake Malawi mbuna for a rocky tank. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.
Did you know
The pearl of Likoma's species name, joanjohnsonae, honors Joan Johnson, who worked in cichlid research.
Caring for the pearl of Likoma
Keep the pearl of Likoma in a group in at least 45 gal (170 L). Build the tank around rock piles with caves and crevices, and leave open swimming space between the rockwork to help keep the peace. It swims in the middle of the water and around the rocks.
Keep the water alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Feed a diet built on vegetable matter and algae, with some prepared foods.
The pearl of Likoma holds territory and turns aggressive, especially when breeding. Like many Malawi species, dominant males color up hard when breeding. That is also when they are most likely to chase rivals off their patch of rock. House it with other robust rock-dwelling cichlids that can hold their own.
Males grow slightly larger than females. The pearl of Likoma is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth until they can swim and feed on their own. Breeding is hard.
Good to know
The pearl of Likoma, Labidochromis joanjohnsonae, is a member of the family Cichlidae. It was long sold as Melanochromis joanjohnsonae, and Melanochromis exasperatus is a synonym. It is not considered at risk in the wild.
In the wild
The pearl of Likoma comes from the rocky shallows around Likoma Island in Lake Malawi. The water there is warm, clear and hard.
Common questions
What size tank does a pearl of Likoma need?
A pearl of Likoma needs at least 45 gal (170 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a pearl of Likoma need?
A pearl of Likoma is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
What does a pearl of Likoma eat?
A pearl of Likoma eats a diet built on vegetable matter and algae, with some prepared foods.
How big does a pearl of Likoma get?
An adult pearl of Likoma reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).
How can you tell a male pearl of Likoma from a female?
Males grow slightly larger than females, and dominant males color up hard when breeding.
How does a pearl of Likoma breed?
The pearl of Likoma is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth until the young can swim and feed on their own, and breeding is hard.
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