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 (77)
Avoid (44)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.