Pearl of Likoma

Care at a glance

Overview

Mostly peaceful for a mbuna, but it holds territory and can get pushy, especially when breeding. Keep it in a group in at least 170 liters, in the mid water and around rocks. Feed a diet built on vegetable matter and algae with some prepared foods, and keep the temperature in the mid 20s C with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. House it with other robust rock dwelling cichlids that can hold their own.

In the wild

This Malawi cichlid comes from the rocky shallows around Likoma Island, where the water is warm, clear, and hard. Give it a tank built around rock piles with caves and crevices, and keep the water on the alkaline side. Open swimming space between the rock work helps keep the peace.

Good to know

A member of the Cichlidae, this species grows to around 10 cm, with males slightly larger than females. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, so the female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth until they can swim and feed on their own. It is not considered at risk in the wild.

Did you know

The species name honors Joan Johnson, who worked in cichlid research. Like many Malawi species, dominant males color up hard when breeding, which is also when they are most likely to chase rivals off their patch of rock.

Related species

• 

  Blue johanni cichlid

  Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos

  3.9 in (10 cm)45 gal (170 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Auratus cichlid

  Melanochromis auratus

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• 

  Johanni cichlid

  Melanochromis johannii

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• Chipokee cichlid

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  4.7 in (12 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Saulosi Mbuna

  Pseudotropheus saulosi

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• 

  Brown Julie

  Julidochromis dickfeldi

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