I need this fish Identified.

[jordan barnhart]

I bought this fish a few months ago at Wal-Mart. He was so small and cute so I bought him for $5.83... All the tab said was African Cichlid assort. I really want to know what he is and some good info to know about him. He has grew a bit since I've had him and all, and I really enjoy watching him..

Any information is appreciated.

 

[Titanium]

The Picture isn't loading, all I'm getting is a red x.

 

[jordan barnhart]

I fixed the picture. It shows up now...

 

[semper fi]

looks to be a male kennyi. when you got him was he blue with black vertical stripes?

http/fish.orbust.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=34905

 

[vantgE]

I agree with semper fi it's the maylandia lombardoi there great fish jus a little agrisive

 

[jordan barnhart]

Actually when I got him, He was the same color he is now... He was yellow, had black verticle stripes, but his fins were all vibrant blue tinted... Tehy change from yellow to blue back and forth.. I hav noticed he is a bit more on the aggressive side but he liked to stay under some eel grass I have. He loves to eat and he literally will jump out of the water to grab some food. It's the neatest thing to watch. Once I get my 75 Gallon tank I am putting him in there to live out life and plant it well, and find a nice female to add in as well.. I really love this fish.. ;-)

I have noticed when he switches into agressive mode, his colors become really visible, bright, and stand out. His fins go blue and and stripes get darker.. He does this when it comes around feeding time too once in a while. I'll snap a picture or two next time I think of it..

 

[semper fi]

do not add one female, add about3-5. kennyi are harem brooders. meaning they breed with a group of females. if you add just one female, chances are likely that he will kill hergetting her to mate with him.

the intensifying of his colors is called displaying. mbuna will display when they feel threatened or when enticing a female to mate.

 

[gixer]

is he in the 32g?

if he is i would take him back to the shop. they are actually one of the most agressive mbuna i have ever seen. caused havoc in a 75 gallon (i wouldnt keep them in any less either). they will try to breed with anything.

a nasty piece of work for such a small fish and certainly not a begginer fish. adding lots of females is not the answer.. maybe in a larger tank.

although they are really nice to look at. not a good idea in that tank though. and deffinatly not a good choice of tankmates i'm affraid....sorry

 

[semper fi]

i have not ime found kennyi to be that aggressive. about the same aggression level as the johanni. only time i had problems with them was when i added chippokae to their tank. chippokae had to be removed. i would not keep kennyi with the less aggressive fish like labs

 

[gixer]

i have not ime found kennyi to be that aggressive. about the same aggression level as the johanni. only time i had problems with them was when i added chippokae to their tank. chippokae had to be removed. i would not keep kennyi with the less aggressive fish like labs

have you seen what his tankmates are?

32 (US) Gallon --
2 Gold Gouramis
1 Neon Blue Dwarf Gouramis
1 Blue Paradise Gouramis
2 Dwarf Gouramis
2 Blue Gouramis
1 Kenyi
2 Plecos

i have always found kenyi extremely agressive personally.. although the main concern is the size of tank and current tankmates.

 

[semper fi]

no, i did not as i block the sigs.

i do agree that it is not the right setup for kennyi. a 30 is too small and imo don't agree with mixing african cichlids with anything but.

 

[jordan barnhart]

Yeah. I know this... My setup and tankmates aren't the smartest thing I've done with this Kenyi... But, that's why I am getting a 75 Gallon for him and I will purchase the 75 Gallon tank asap. I actually bought him at Wal-Mart and knew nothing of this fish. Really dumb of me but I don't want to get rid of him. After I am done with building my 150 gallon, I will be doing a kenyi setup.. 1 Male and about 4 Females.

Does that sound good?

If you have any good information on Kenyis and what kind of tank I should setup, please post here.

I need to know what kind of substrate they like, (I heard sand or fine gravels), and if that is the case... What would be a good filtration setup. What kind of hiding places are prefered and prefered plants for their tank.

 

[semper fi]

this will help with the setup

http/fish.orbust.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=27706

i would not reccommend sand. they are diggers and the sand gets stirred up. can clog the filter

also since they are diggers you will need to anchor the plants. anubia, chryptocorine and hybrophila species of plants work well in mbuna tanks as they are tougher and less desirable. softer plants can be eaten by mbuna.