The Kenyi Cichlid is a beautiful freshwater fish that comes from Lake Malawi in Africa. Males are a bright yellow and females are blue. Kenyi Cichlids prefer a rocky environment with caves and places to hide. I would use a sandy substrate and house them in at least a 55 gallon aquarium.
Don’t let their gorgeous color fool you, these fish are VERY aggressive. Kenyi Cichlids do have great personalities though and often recognize their owners. As juveniles they aren’t as aggressive, but as they become adults they will change their temperament. This can often cause them to kill or terrorize other fish in your tank. Make sure to keep a close eye on this fish!
If you want to breed the kenyi cichlid they are quite easy. It is recommended that you have 4 to 6 females and 1 male. Give the females enough hiding places when they get tired of the male’s attention. The Kenyi is a mouthbrooder which means the female will carry the eggs in her mouth for 3 to 4 weeks when the fry are ready to be released.
Kenyi Cichlid Care
Scientific Name: Metriaclima lombardoi
Common Names: Kenyi Cichlid
Beginner Fish: No, Care level is moderate.
Tank Size: At least 55 gallons. They prefer longer tanks rather than tall.
Water Temperature: 78°F-80°F
pH: 7.8-8.2
Natural Habitat: Lake Malawi, Africa. Rift Lakes.
Lifespan: 18 years.
Behavior: Extremely Aggressive! Use caution.
Tank Mates: Other Malawi Mbuna. If you are mixing with other Kenyi you should keep 1 male per 2 females. They are not compatable with other types of community fish and do not mix with fish from the Metriclima group.
Feeding: Herbivore. They need a low protein diet, you can also subsitute with fresh veggies.
Tank Region: Bottom of the fish tank.
Gender: Males are yellow with black bars, and females are blue with black bars.
2 comments
sonny
January 17, 2012 at 6:00 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
wrong picture for the female, kenyi never has more than 5 stripes
Flyinry
January 17, 2012 at 11:26 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Thank you! I’ll check it out and replace