{"product_id":"electric-blue-johanni-cichlid-pseudotropheus-johannii-freshwater","title":"Electric Blue Johanni Cichlid (Pseudotropheus johannii)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick up at \u003cstrong\u003e1885 Braselton Hwy, Suite D, Lawrenceville, GA\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour order is reserved — we hold off on bagging until you arrive, so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eElectric Blue Johanni Cichlid\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePseudotropheus johannii\u003c\/em\u003e) is a vivid Lake Malawi mbuna with electric blue and black horizontal banding that practically glows under aquarium lighting. Males defend small territories and color up year-round; females typically stay yellow or orange. Care level is intermediate, temperament is aggressive — this is a true mbuna best kept in an overstocked, rock-heavy African cichlid community where aggression gets diffused.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePair with our other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e and the right water chemistry from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-rift-lake-cichlid-buffer-african-cichlid-ph-kh\"\u003eFritz Rift Lake Cichlid Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e + \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-rift-lake-cichlid-probiotic-salt-african-gh\"\u003eFritz Rift Lake Cichlid Salt\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 55 gallons minimum, 75+ gallons strongly recommended for a stable mbuna community. Larger footprints reduce aggression.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverstocking strategy:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mbuna do best in heavy stocking density — it spreads aggression instead of letting one fish hammer a single target. Plan rockwork to break sightlines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lots of rockwork (Texas holey rock, lava rock, slate) with cave structures from substrate to surface. Sandy substrate. Live plants are usually torn up — java fern and anubias on rock work best.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strong — mbuna are messy and need pristine water. Aim for 6–10x turnover per hour with mechanical + bio filtration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater chemistry:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rift Lake conditions — high pH (7.8–8.6), high hardness (10–25 dGH), and stable alkalinity. Use a dedicated rift lake buffer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore leaning herbivore. Spirulina-based pellets, vegetable matter, occasional protein. Never feed bloodworms or beef heart — mbuna are prone to Malawi Bloat from protein-heavy diets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;width:40%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eElectric Blue Johanni, Bluegray Mbuna\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePseudotropheus johannii\u003c\/em\u003e (sometimes \u003cem\u003eMelanochromis johannii\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e3–4 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6–10 years with proper care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAggressive (territorial mbuna)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e55 gallons (75+ recommended)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e76–82°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10–25 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore (herbivore-leaning)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreat with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Other Lake Malawi mbuna of similar size and temperament — yellow labs (\u003cem\u003eLabidochromis caeruleus\u003c\/em\u003e), rusties (\u003cem\u003eIodotropheus sprengerae\u003c\/em\u003e), cobalt blues, demasoni, and other Pseudotropheus \/ Metriaclima species. Plecos and synodontis catfish work as bottom-dwelling tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful community fish (tetras, livebearers, gouramis), South American cichlids (different water chemistry and aggression style), Lake Tanganyika species mixed in the same tank, anything with long or trailing fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-cichlid-gold-pellet\"\u003eHikari Cichlid Gold Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e — staple cichlid food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-rift-lake-cichlid-buffer-african-cichlid-ph-kh\"\u003eFritz Rift Lake Cichlid Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e — raises pH and KH for African setups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-rift-lake-cichlid-probiotic-salt-african-gh\"\u003eFritz Rift Lake Cichlid Probiotic Salt\u003c\/a\u003e — trace minerals + GH booster\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-texas-holey-rock-resin-cichlid-cave\"\u003eHikari Texas Holey Rock\u003c\/a\u003e — ready-made cave structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003eWater testing kits\u003c\/a\u003e — rift lake parameters demand regular checks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre males and females both blue?\u003c\/strong\u003e No — this is one of the dichromatic mbuna. Males are the vivid electric blue with black banding shown here; females stay yellow or orange. Don't be alarmed when females arrive looking nothing like their male counterparts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I keep?\u003c\/strong\u003e If you want both sexes, keep one male with 2–4 females to spread breeding stress. Multiple males in the same tank usually leads to dominant-fish lockdowns unless the tank is very large (75+ gallons) and overstocked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does my mbuna's stomach swell up?\u003c\/strong\u003e Likely Malawi Bloat — a fatal protein-overfeeding condition. Stick to spirulina-based pellets and vegetable matter. No bloodworms, no beef heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep mbuna with peacocks?\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally not recommended at the same aggression level. Peacocks (\u003cem\u003eAulonocara\u003c\/em\u003e) are more relaxed and get bullied. Yellow labs and rusties are the gentler mbuna that mix best with peacocks if you're set on a mixed tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48354344829147,"sku":"FW1-F4518","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_b103eee7-bea9-47e1-a3e6-9925a9fe5821.jpg?v=1773321159","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/electric-blue-johanni-cichlid-pseudotropheus-johannii-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}