Kenyi Cichlid, scientifically known as Maylandia lombardoi, is a medium-sized freshwater fish from the Cichlidae family.
It’s popular in aquariums and has many names like Lombardoi Mbuna, Kenyi Mbuna, or Kennyi Mbuna.
Some researchers disagree about its scientific classification and put it under the genus Metriaclima.
Kenyi Cichlid was named in honor of John Lombardo, an exotic fish dealer. It lives in areas with lots of sediment and is found near sandy or muddy spots between rocks.
Commonly found in waters deeper than 10 meters, it feeds on algae from rocks and plankton in open water.
Male Kenyi Cichlids are aggressive over their sand-dug nests. Females, young ones, and non-territorial adult males live alone or in small groups.
Interestingly, all male Kenyi Cichlids have only one eggspot on their anal fin.
Kenyi Cichlid Interesting Facts
- Kenyi Cichlids, or Maylandia lombardoi, are named after exotic fish dealer John Lombardo and have disputed scientific classifications.
- Found in Lake Malawi’s deep waters, these fish feed on algae and plankton and prefer warm, tropical environments with specific pH levels.
- They grow up to 3.4 inches (8.7 centimeters) long and are territorial over sand-dug nests; females, young ones, and non-territorial males live alone or in small groups.
- Female Kenyi Cichlids are mouthbrooders that carry eggs in their mouths; they favor males with one large eggspot on their anal fin for fertilization purposes.
Kenyi Cichlid Habitat
Kenyi Cichlid is a freshwater fish found in Lake Malawi, specifically on Mbenji Island in Africa. It has also been introduced to Namalenje Island.
This fish prefers to live at the bottom of the water (demersal) and is found at depths of 6 to 30 meters.
The ideal water conditions for Kenyi Cichlids are a pH range of at least 8.0, a hardness (dH) range of 10 to 20, and temperatures between 75°F to 79°F (24°C to 26°C).
These fish thrive in warm, tropical waters around 13°S to 14°S latitude.
| Water Temperature: | 75°F to 79°F (24°C to 26°C) |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | 10 to 20 dH |
Kenyi Cichlid Physical Characteristics
Size: 3.4 inches (8.7 centimeters)
Kenyi Cichlid grows up to 3.4 inches (8.7 centimeters) long.
This is measured using the standard length method, which measures from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail base.
Kenyi Cichlid Reproduction
Kenyi Cichlids are mouthbrooders, where the females carry eggs in their mouths. Male Kenyi Cichlids have a single egg-like spot on their anal fin.
This spot tricks females into picking it up, which helps fertilize the other eggs in her mouth.
Research shows that females prefer males with one large eggspot over those with many small ones.
Kenyi Cichlid Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Maylandia |
| Scientific Name: | Maylandia lombardoi |
| Also Known As: | Kenyi Cichlid, Lombardoi Mbuna, Kenyi Mbuna, Kennyi Mbuna |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |