ID this breed & sex. Johanni??

[Blown 331]

So I went to a fish store yesterday looking for a group of mbuna. I wanted 1 male and 3 female.
The tank I got them from said Blue Johanni maingano. Through some research I think the Johanni and Miangano are 2 different fish. I also read the Johanni has orange or yellow females. So unless I got all male Johanni which is possible, I think I did get the Maingano which are http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/m_cyaneorhabdos.php
These females are lighter blue, not oranage/yellow.
So what fish did I get? Are there any females? I got 4 but here is a pic of 3. I think the middle one is female, the back one male but what about the front one?

 

[cellodaisy]

No idea, but they're beautiful!

 

[Blown 331]

No idea, but they're beautiful!

Thanks! I agree and thats why I'm hoping for some females!

 

[petluvr]

Not for sure if it is Johanni or Cyaneorhabdos(maingano) but definitely in the Melanochromis species.

 

[Pittbull]

2nd the maingano

 

[efors]

2nd the maingano

As my son or grandson Pittbull says (now I don't know who or what I am ), these fishes are Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos; commonly known as Maingano, Blue Johannii or Electric Blue Johannii. In this species, males and females have almost identical coloration (monomorphic); so, it's hard to id their gender when they are juvies. As adults, males may have more pointed and longer fins.
Melanochromis johannii (the true Johannii), is a species with more black than blue males (darker than Mainganos) and yellow orange females.
Your fishes are definitely Mainganos IMO and then, you will have to wait to distinguish males from females or vent them to know what they are for sure.

 

[efors]

You can check this link for more info and pics:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=756

 

[Blown 331]

As my son or grandson Pittbull says (now I don't know who or what I am ), these fishes are Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos; commonly known as Maingano, Blue Johannii or Electric Blue Johannii. In this species, males and females have almost identical coloration (monomorphic); so, it's hard to id their gender when they are juvies. As adults, males may have more pointed and longer fins.
Melanochromis johannii (the true Johannii), is a species with more black than blue males (darker than Mainganos) and yellow orange females.
Your fishes are definitely Mainganos IMO and then, you will have to wait to distinguish males from females or vent them to know what they are for sure.

That clears it up, thanks a lot! So there are actually 2 species that are called Johannii. So they were labeled correctly. It did say electric blue Johannii Maingano on the thank. When I got home I searched for Johannii and came up with info on the Johannii with the yellow/orange females. Thanks for clearing that up! So I got what I wanted, now I just gotta hope for some females. I'm pretty positive on one that is female and one that is male. The other 2 could go either way. That's just what I think so far anyway.

 

[jpappy789]

With these species, venting will be the only 100% way as efors said.

 

[efors]

That clears it up, thanks a lot! So there are actually 2 species that are called Johannii.

You are welcome and I'm glad I could help you! But, don't go so fast; there are more species that have Johanni in their common names:
Melanochromis interruptus = Chizumulu Johanni.
Melanochromis perileucos = Black & White Johanni.

As you can see, all 4 belong to the same genus: Melanochromis.