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Kenyi cichlid (Maylandia lombardoi) — Cichlidae

Kenyi cichlid

Maylandia lombardoi
Family: Cichlidae
NativeIntroduced

The Kenyi cichlid (Maylandia lombardoi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
6.0–30.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Malawi
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Kenyi cichlid is a rock-dwelling cichlid (mbuna) from Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 9 cm and shows a striking colour difference: dominant males are bright yellow, females and juveniles light blue with dark vertical bars. As a rock-dweller it grazes aufwuchs from the stones with fine teeth and is strongly territorial. It is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans and is prized in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kenyi cichlid?

The Kenyi cichlid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Kenyi cichlid live?

The Kenyi cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Malawi

How big does the Kenyi cichlid get?

The Kenyi cichlid grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Kenyi cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Kenyi cichlid is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Kenyi cichlid edible?

Yes, the Kenyi cichlid is commonly eaten.

More photos

Kenyi cichlid (Maylandia lombardoi) — Cichlidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Kenyi cichlid (Maylandia lombardoi) — Cichlidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Vlad Butsky from San Jose, CA, USA (CC BY 2.0)
Kenyi cichlid (Maylandia lombardoi) — Cichlidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Vlad Butsky from San Jose, CA, USA (CC BY 2.0)
Kenyi cichlid (Maylandia lombardoi) — Cichlidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) bookworm91, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Kenyi cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Maylandia lombardoi
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Malawi sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, seaweeds and plant material inferred
Territorial
Yes sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Maylandia

More from the family Cichlidae

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