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Metriaclima lombardoi (Kenyi) |
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Written by Bill Dent
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Profile of the Kenyi
Scientific name: Metriaclima lombardoi (Maylandia may also be used, and Pseudotropheus is an older name still used occasionally)
Common name: Kenyi cichlid.
Maximum size: Males can reach a size of 6" on average, females should be about equal or slightly smaller when full grown.
Tank decor: Kenyi, being mbuna, need a rocky tank setup, with lots of caves and hiding places. Sand substrate is preferred for these fish, but gravel and similar substrates can be used.
Temperature: 78 - 82°F
pH: 7.8 - 8.6
Water hardness: Very hard.
Diet: Kenyi are herbivores, so a diet consisting mostly of vegetable and algae foods is best.
Temperment Kenyi are one of the most aggressive mbuna available. Unforunately, because of their pretty, blue juvenile colouring, they are also one of the most commonly available mbuna. The cute little blue babies will grow into 6" monsters, typically taking over a tank and often terrorizing other inhabitants. Given the right size tank, with consideration to proper tankmates, they can be kept with others very successfully with limited aggression.
Colouring: As juveniles, both sexes will be a bright blue with barring. As they mature, males transition from blue, to a golden yellow, with barring becoming very faint at most times. Females will stay blue. Be careful, though - often only the dominant male will change, and subdominant males can retain female colouring to prevent a beating from the king.
Breeding: Kenyi are a very easy fish to breed, as long as proper conditions are maintained. Because of the male's aggressive disposition, its best to have four of five females to a single male. Provide plenty of hiding spots for females to seek out if they need a break from the male's attention. Kenyi are mouthbrooders, so the female will pick up the eggs and carry them in her mouth for a period of 24-30 days, until the young are ready to be released. |