{"product_id":"lombardoi-cichlid-maylandia-lombardoi","title":"Lombardoi Cichlid | Maylandia lombardoi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Kenyi (or Lombardoi) pulls a colour switch most fish can't manage: dominant males turn egg-yolk yellow while females stay barred pale blue. Striking to look at, but make no mistake — this is a genuine mbuna bruiser. Give it space and robust tankmates that can take the heat, and it rewards you with bold colour and constant activity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMaylandia lombardoi\u003c\/em\u003e (also written \u003cem\u003eMetriaclima lombardoi\u003c\/em\u003e) is endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, where it lives around the rocky shoreline (the mbuna zone) in hard, alkaline, mineral-rich water, grazing algae from the rocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA stocky mbuna showing dramatic reverse sexual dichromatism: mature males are bright yellow-gold while females and juveniles are light blue with darker vertical bars. This colour reversal is unusual and makes sexing easy in adults.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery aggressive, even among mbuna — regularly one of the pushiest fish in a Malawi tank. Keep it only with other robust mbuna in a spacious, rock-filled tank, with one male to several females to spread his attention. Overstocking (in a sensible way) helps diffuse aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA herbivore\/grazer in the wild. Feed a quality vegetable-based cichlid pellet or flake and offer \u003cem\u003eSpirulina\u003c\/em\u003e and blanched greens. Avoid excessive meaty or high-protein foods, which can cause \"Malawi bloat\" in vegetarian mbuna.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHard, alkaline, clean water with a big rockscape of caves and crevices, and open sand to swim over. Strong filtration and regular water changes handle the bioload. Provide plenty of broken sightlines to reduce the impact of its aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder, and a ready breeder. The female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks. Because males are so aggressive, keep several females per male and watch for a harassed female being cornered.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaylandia lombardoi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKenyi (Lombardoi) Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 12–15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore (vegetable-based foods, algae)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–20 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate keepers; robust Malawi mbuna tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo — grazes and uproots most plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther robust, similarly aggressive mbuna that can hold their own — \u003cem\u003ePseudotropheus\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eMaylandia\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eMelanochromis\u003c\/em\u003e and the like — plus sturdy \u003cem\u003eSynodontis\u003c\/em\u003e catfish, in a large rock-filled tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful haps, timid or slow fish, soft-water community species, and anything small enough to be bullied to death. Avoid keeping two males in a small tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232772636963,"sku":null,"price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232772669731,"sku":"AA2989","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232772702499,"sku":null,"price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/lombardoi-cichlid-maylandia-lombardoi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}