fish · Cichlidae

Maingano

Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos

Wild range: Eastern Africa: Lake Malawi — microendemic to the northeastern shore of Likoma Island (Mbako Point to Membe Point / Yofu Bay), densest at Maingano Island; type locality Mbako Point, 12°02'S, 34°45'E, depth ~5 m (Bowers & Stauffer 1997; IUCN Konings 2018; Aquarist Atlas). (Africa)

Husbandry parameters

Difficulty: intermediate
Adult size: 7.50–10.00 cm
Min tank: 40.0 gal / 151.0 L
Temperature: 24.0–28.0°C
pH: 7.6–8.8
GH: 10.0–25.0 dGH
Flow: moderate
Water: freshwater
Temperament: aggressive
Diet: omnivore
Swimming: mid
Schooling: No
Min group: 4
Community: No
Nano: No
Lifespan: 8.0–10.0 yr
Reproduction: Maternal mouthbrooder. Keep one male with at least 3–4 females in a rock-heavy tank. The male cleans a flat rock or cave and courts with lateral displays; the female lays ~10–30 eggs, picks them up, and fertilises them by mouthing the male's anal-fin egg-spots. She broods ~18–28 days without eating, then releases free-swimming fry that are already dark and striped (unlike orange/yellow juvenile Melanochromis johannii). Strip at ~14–18 days or isolate the holding female for higher yield (Seriously Fish; Scale & Stem; Aquarist Atlas; Tankora; Aqua-Fish).
Biotope: Sediment-free rocky shorelines and rock–sand transition zones on the northeastern coast of Likoma Island (Lake Malawi), densest around the small offshore islet of Maingano; typically 5–10 m, reported to ~18 m (FishBase; Seriously Fish; Aquarist Atlas; Scale & Stem).
Countries: Malawi
IUCN: Critically Endangered

At a glance: Maingano care

Compiled reference information. Review the care notes and original sources below.

What temperature is listed for Maingano?

The compiled profile lists 24.0–28.0 °C for Maingano (Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos). Check the original sources below for context and differing recommendations.

What tank size is listed for Maingano?

The profile lists a minimum tank volume of 40.0 US gallons (151.0 liters). Volume alone does not establish suitability; consider dimensions, group size and other inhabitants alongside the full care notes.

What pH is listed for Maingano?

The compiled profile lists a pH of 7.6–8.8. Review the cited care sources alongside the other water parameters in this profile.

Natural habitat

A small Lake Malawi mbuna famous for its jet blue-black body crossed by two luminous horizontal electric-blue stripes. Both sexes keep the same dark-and-blue pattern (females are not orange), which separates it from Melanochromis johannii. Wild fish mainly graze aufwuchs and take small invertebrates; aquarium fish are hardy but territorial. Critically Endangered in the wild from ornamental collecting, yet still common in the trade.

Where they are found

Catalog primary Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos Bowers & Stauffer, 1997 (no parentheses: described in Melanochromis) — valid in ITIS (TSN 648727, author Bowers and Stauffer, 1997) and still the established trade/ITIS name used by most aquarist care sheets. Newer combination Pseudotropheus cyaneorhabdos (Bowers & Stauffer, 1997) after Konings & Stauffer 2012; FishBase SpecCode 46243, NCBI Taxonomy 2742822, IUCN (Konings 2018), and Aquarist Atlas (citing Catalog of Fishes) treat Pseudotropheus as accepted — recorded in aliases under Scott's naming rule. Holotype PSU 2650.1 from Likoma Island (Mbako Point). Lookalike caution (identity clear, no deferral): often sold as 'Electric Blue Johanni' or confused with Melanochromis johannii (this catalog's johannii-cichlid). Tell: Maingano of both sexes stay dark blue with horizontal stripes; female/juvenile johannii are bright lemon-yellow/orange, and johannii males show more black vertical patterning. Do not house with johannii — they hybridise. IUCN Critically Endangered (A2a; B2ab(v), assessed 21 May 2018) from ~90% decline driven by aquarium collection over an AOO of ~1.5 mi². Trade names: Maingano, Blue Maingano, Electric Blue Maingano, Blue Johanni (misapplied).

Aquarium care

Plan at least a 40 US gallon / ~151 L tank with a 90×45 cm (~36×18 in) footprint for a small harem (Seriously Fish ~154 L; Aquarist Atlas 40-gal breeder; Aqua-Fish 150 L for one male with 2–3 females). Prefer 53+ gal / ~200 L (Scale & Stem; Tankora; Aqua-Fish community) so territories and retreats can form. Temperature 24–28°C (Seriously Fish, Scale & Stem, Tankora, Aquarist Atlas; Aqua-Fish 23–27). pH 7.6–8.8 (Seriously Fish, Tankora; Scale & Stem 7.5–8.5; Aqua-Fish 7.4–8.5; Atlas target 7.7–8.8). GH 10–25 dGH (Seriously Fish, Tankora; Scale & Stem 10–20; Aqua-Fish ~9–27 °N). Sand substrate, heavy rock piles with caves and sight-line breaks, open swimming lanes, strong filtration, moderate flow, and a tight lid (jumpers). Soft plants are usually destroyed; Anubias/Java fern on rock may survive. Intermediate difficulty: hardy water-wise, but aggression and Malawi-bloat risk need experienced mbuna husbandry. Overstock moderately with other robust mbuna to dilute chasing.

Feeding

Wild diet is primarily aufwuchs (algae and associated micro-life) plus zooplankton and epibenthic invertebrates (FishBase trophic level ~3.5; Aquarist Atlas; Scale & Stem). In the aquarium feed a spirulina / vegetable-based flake or pellet as the staple, plus blanched zucchini, spinach or peas; offer brine shrimp, mysis or daphnia only sparingly. Limit bloodworm and other rich animal foods — high protein is linked to Malawi bloat (Scale & Stem; Tankora; Aqua-Fish; Seriously Fish). Feed 2–3 small meals daily.

Compatibility

Aggressive, territorial mbuna — not community-safe with peaceful, small or long-finned fish (Seriously Fish; Scale & Stem; Tankora). Suitable companions are other similarly assertive Lake Malawi mbuna of different colour pattern (e.g. Labidochromis caeruleus, Maylandia estherae, Pseudotropheus demasoni) in a large, rock-heavy tank. Avoid Melanochromis johannii (catalog johannii-cichlid), Melanochromis auratus and other lookalike striped Melanochromis — aggression and hybridisation. Not for mixed peacock/utaka community tanks. Keep a harem (1♂ : 3–4♀); all-male groups fight intensely.

Breeding

Readily breeds as a maternal mouthbrooder. Best as one male with 3–4+ females so the male's harassment is spread (Seriously Fish; Scale & Stem; Tankora). Condition at pH ~8.2–8.5 and 25–26.5°C with mixed live/frozen and vegetable foods (Seriously Fish). Clutch ~10–30 eggs; brood ~3–4 weeks; fry take Artemia nauplii or crushed flake from release. Do not mix with Melanochromis johannii or other similar-striped Melanochromis/Pseudotropheus if you want pure stock (hybridisation risk).

Sources

Compiled from multiple independent care sheets — not copied from a single site.