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| Scientific Name: Placidochromis johnstoni |
| Pronunciation: pl
|
| Geo. Origin: Lake-wide distribution |
| Habitat: Shallow muddy bays, sandy habitat, and intermediate habitat |
| Diet: Carnivore |
| Gender Differences: Dimorphic |
| Breeding: Maternal Mouthbrooder |
| Temperament: Peaceful |
| Conspecific Temperament: Mildly Aggressive |
| Maximum Size: 7.5" |
| Temperature: 78 - 82°F |
| pH: 7.8 - 8.6 |
| Water Hardness: Hard |
| Difficulty: 2 |
Images: |
Large male Juvenile |
Photo Credit: Hisao Masui |
Articles: |
N/A |
Comments: |
P. johnstoni is a "common find" in muddy, shallow bays, especially in association with plant beds. It often forages in mixed species groups but is also found in groups of its own kind, numbering as many as 50! In these groups, a single male will express breeding coloration (similar to F. rostratus). This cichlid often joins N. polystigma to hunt small fry but also feeds on invertebrates. It has a unique and interesting hunting behavior: They plunge their heads deep down into a plant bed and quickly snap their mouth shut. The result is a squirt of water that disturbs the fine layer of sediment covering the leaves - exposing invertebrates. It also performs this "trick" on sediment covered rocks in the intermediate habitat. The result here is a bit different. The stirred up sediment attracts small mbuna who then fall prey to the predator. |