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Bluegray mbuna (Pseudotropheus johannii) — Cichlidae

Bluegray mbuna

Pseudotropheus johannii
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bluegray mbuna (Pseudotropheus johannii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Johann's mbuna is a small rock cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 10 cm and shows strong colour difference: adult males are dark blue with black cross-bars, females and juveniles bright orange-yellow. It lives in the rocky shore zone and grazes the algal growth (aufwuchs) from rocks with its pointed mouth. Like other mbuna it is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans, popular in the aquarium trade and assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluegray mbuna?

The Bluegray mbuna has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Bluegray mbuna live?

The Bluegray mbuna lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Bluegray mbuna get?

The Bluegray mbuna grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Bluegray mbuna dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluegray mbuna is harmless to humans.

Is the Bluegray mbuna edible?

The Bluegray mbuna is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Johanns mbuna verified
English name
Bluegray mbuna verified
Scientific name
Pseudotropheus johannii
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Bluegray mbuna; Johanni; Johanni cichlid; Johanni mbuna verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pseudotropheus

More from the family Cichlidae

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