Often confused with the Electric Blue Maingano, the Electric Blue Johanni can be distinguished by the black coloration exhibted by males of the species. This coloration may vary from blue to purple to black and most specimens have several lines of blue running horizontally along the body. Both females and juveniles of this species are typically yellow in coloration and the males grow larger than the females. Electric Blue Johannis are endemic to Lake Malawi where they are typically found in shallow, rocky areas along the coast.