Kennyi | Pseudotropheus lombardoi
Cichlids / Africa / Lake Malawi / Mbuna / Kennyi
Profile: Kennyi
Pseudotropheus / Metriaclima lombardoi Synonyms: Pseudotropheus liliancinius, P. kennyi
Physical description: The Kennyi has a "typical" Mbuna shape. The coloring depends on the age and sex of the fish. Females are pale blue to blue with six to eight transverse, black bands. The bands are begin at the crest of the black and fade in color as they move down towards the belly. The first band runs to the eye and the last is located near the tail. The belly is lighter in color. The fins are light blue and the caudal fin has some vertical, spotted lines. The dorsal fin has five dark splotches where the longitudinal bands end, and has a black fringe. Males are yellow in color and may or may not have the transverse bands that the female possesses. The fins match the body color.
Size/Length: Males to 6" (15 cm), females to 5.5" (14 cm)
Similar species: Bumblebee Mbuna ( P. crabro)
Habitat: Eastern Africa; found only around the Mbenji Islands in Lake Malawi
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: 40" (100 cm) or 45-55 gallons (170-209 L) is sufficient for young fish under 3" (7.5 cm). Adult fish are territorial and need large areas to defend. A 48" (122 cm) or 70 gallon (266 L) tank is suggested. The tank should have a rocky set-up with caves and out-cropping. Retreats must be provide for hiding. Leave open swimming areas and use coral sand substrate. Use a strong light to promote the growth of algae.
Water chemistry: pH 7.5-9.0 (8.1), 12-25 dH (16), 73-81°F (23-27°C)
Social behavior: The Kennyi is an aggressive cichlid while young. With age the fish become even more belligerent and territorial. Combine the Kennyi with other robust mbunas to distract them from fighting with other of their own species. Keep one male with several females. Tensions are reduced when kept in a large tank with a number of hiding places.
Suggested companions: Small Haplochromines, mbunas, Synodontis
FOOD: Algae; flake; live; snails, bloodworms, mosquito larvae, microorganisms, crustaceans, snails, Tubifex ; pellets; tablets; plant matter; vegetables; peas, lettuce, spinach; fruit. The Kennyi will eat almost any food, but color enhancing foods will help bring out the male's gold body coloring.
Sexual differences: Males are yellow in color and have brighter egg-spots on their anal fin.
Breeding techniques: Breeding is fairly easy in a large tank with a great deal or caves and crevices. Use water with a temperature from 77-82°F (25-28°C), a pH from 8.0-8.3, and a hardness from 10-16 dH. The male is polygamous, so use several females. Spawning takes place on or above a flat stone. As many as 50 eggs are laid and fertilized by the dummy-egg method. The female mouth broods the eggs for 20-25 days. The blue colored fry emerge and can be fed Artemia , Cyclops , and Daphni a.
Breeding potential: 6. Breeding is fairly easy after the male's aggressiveness accounted for and taken care of.
Remarks: The sexual dichromatism of the Kennyi is opposite from other Mbunas. In most cases, the male is blue, and the female is yellow or orange-which is not the case for the Kennyi.
Difficulty of care: 5. An aggressive fish that should be combined with other aggressive and robust mbunas.