Maingano cichlid
Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos
FishFreshwater
- Care level
- Moderate
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Recommended tank
- 250 L
- Maximum size
- 9 cm
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
- pH
- 7.8–8.6
- Group size
- ≥ 5
- Diet
- Omnivore
Care at a glance
The maingano is a small mbuna with a deep blue body and light blue horizontal stripes, and with one big advantage for anyone who wants colour in the tank: the females are blue too. It is still regularly confused with the closely related johanni, whose females are orange.
It is calmer than most Melanochromis species but does hold a territory, so give it rocks with plenty of crevices and keep a group of one male with several females. In a well-stocked Malawi tank with other mbuna of similar size the aggression spreads out. Feed mostly vegetable food; too much protein causes gut problems.
Good to know
Related species
Keep Maingano cichlid in the BlubHub app
Add this species to your inhabitants, with count and photos, and see the care info next to your own water values, target bands and reminders. Free, no account, everything on your own device.
Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.