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.