Kenyi Cichlid
Maylandia lombardoi
Cichlidae
About
The kenyi is a boldly coloured mbuna endemic to the rocky habitats around Mbenji Island and Nkhomo Reef in Lake Malawi, where it scrapes aufwuchs from sunlit boulders. It is unusual for showing reversed dichromatism: dominant males turn bright lemon-yellow while females and juveniles keep a pale blue body crossed with dark bars. Renowned as one of the most belligerent and territorial mbuna, it needs a large tank of hard, alkaline Rift Lake water broken up by heavy rockwork and is best attempted only by keepers ready to manage relentless aggression.
Care
Keep in hard, alkaline water (pH 7.8-8.5) over sand with abundant rockwork in a tank of 250 L or more. Best as a single male with several females; extremely aggressive and territorial, so pair only with robust Malawi mbuna and never with peaceful community fish.
Diet
Herbivorous aufwuchs grazer; feed spirulina- and vegetable-based foods with blanched greens. Strictly limit protein-rich foods to prevent Malawi bloat.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (153)
Avoid (118)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- VentingStrong · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
- Egg spotsA hint only · from about 6 months
The yellow or orange ocelli on the anal fin of Malawi cichlids, traditionally explained as a lure that draws the female into mouthing them, fertilising the eggs she is already holding.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Kenyi Cichlid need?
- A Kenyi Cichlid needs an aquarium of at least 250 litres (66 US gallons) with a footprint at least 120 cm (47.2 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Kenyi Cichlid need?
- Kenyi Cichlid does best at 24–28 °C (75.2–82.4 °F), pH 7.6–8.8 and a general hardness of 10–25 °dGH.
- What group size does a Kenyi Cichlid need?
- Kenyi Cichlid is a social species — keep a group of at least 4 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the Kenyi Cichlid suitable for beginners?
- Kenyi Cichlid is a demanding species best attempted with some experience — it needs stable, closely watched conditions to thrive.