Lombardoi Malawi

Maylandia lombardoi, commonly known as the Lombardoi or Kenyi Cichlid, is a strikingly colorful Mbuna species endemic to Lake Malawi. It is famous for its "reversed" sexual dichromatism, where males and females swap typical color patterns.

• Scientific Names: Maylandia lombardoi, Metriaclima lombardoi, or Pseudotropheus lombardoi.
• Size: Typically grows to 10–13 cm (4–5 inches), though some can reach 15 cm in aquariums.
• Lifespan: Average of 8–10 years with proper care.

• Males: Transform from blue to a vibrant golden-yellow as they mature, often retaining faint dark vertical bars.
• Females: Retain a sky-blue body with bold, dark blue or black vertical stripes.
• Juveniles: All juveniles start with the female blue-and-striped coloration.

• Tank Size: Minimum of 200 liters (approx. 55 gallons). Long tanks are preferred over tall ones to provide more floor space for territories.
• Water Parameters: Requires alkaline water (pH 7.8–8.6) and temperatures between 24°C–28°C (75°F–82°F).
• Diet: Primarily herbivorous; their diet should consist of high-quality spirulina-based pellets or flakes and fresh vegetables like blanched spinach or zucchini.
• Aquascape: Large quantities of rocks and caves are essential to help submissive fish hide and to allow dominant males to establish boundaries.