Juvenile/female colouration, Photo taken at Wharf Aquatics
© Sean Evans
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| Common name: | Kenyi cichlid |
| Scientific name: | Metriaclima lombardoi |
| Synonyms: | Maylandia lombardoi, also formerly known as Pseudotropheus lombardoi. |
| Size: | 4-5" (10-12.5cm) |
| Origin: | Lake Malawi, East Africa |
| Tank setup: | A large tank with many rock caves. |
| Compatibility: | Quite an aggressive species, combine with other larger or more aggressive mbuna species in a large tank. |
| Temperature: | 23-28oC (73-82oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Hard and alkaline: pH 7.6-8.6 ; GH 7 plus ; KH 10-12 ideally, but at least 6. |
| Feeding: | An omnivore which normally feeds on aufwuchs and plankton. Feed a varied diet which includes a
vegetable component. |
| Sexing: | Juveniles and females are blue (see photo), while males turn yellow at around 2"/5cm. |
| Breeding: | Mouthbrooder, see general article linked below. |
| Comments: |
Due to a technicality with scientific naming conventions, there is still some debate as to whether Maylandia or Metriaclima is the valid name for this genus.
The name Maylandia existed prior to Metriaclima, which means it would normally take priority. However, several authors (including Ad Konings),
believe that Maylandia was not properly defined in the original description, and is hence invalid.
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