All fish / Cichlidae

Pearl of Likoma

Melanochromis joanjohnsonae

Also known as joanjohnsonae, pseudotropheus joanjohnsonae, labidochromis joanjohnsonae, pearl of likoma mbuna, likoma pearl, joan johnson's mbuna, melanochromis joanjohnsoni

This small mbuna from the rocky shores of Likoma Island has a pale pearly blue body covered in rows of shining spots, and females and young are often washed with orange or peach. It is one of the milder mbuna, so people like it for colourful Malawi rock tanks where heavy aggression would otherwise be a problem.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male with three or more females, in a mixed mbuna community

Diet

Omnivore: mostly plant-based foods such as spirulina flakes and pellets, with some small crustaceans

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi, endemic to Likoma Island (Malawi)

Breeding

It is a maternal mouthbrooder; the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks before releasing them. Breeding happens readily in a well-kept Malawi tank with plenty of rockwork and more females than males.

Good to know

Give it hard, alkaline water and a diet low in rich protein, as too much meat can cause Malawi bloat. Males still guard territory, so avoid putting it with very aggressive mbuna and do not let it cross with similar-looking species.