Kenyi cichlid question...

[Community Disorganizer]

I have a kenyi and a convict cichlid in a 40 breeder. I know I really shouldn't mix, but I acquired the kenyi (really small) from someone who was going to flush him/her, so I had nowhere to put it. Anyways, I had them for a few months, but the kenyi still has it's juvie colors, with the blue and black stripes. I was wondering if it's a female, or maybe because my male convict is the head honcho of the tank, the kenyi is keeping it's juvie colors?

 

[wrslrcichlid]

Well, first off how big is the kenyi? That can be the first determinate of whether it should be showing its adult colors yet.

If it is old enough to be showing adult colors either guess you made (female or submitting to the convict) are possible. But, I would find it a bit unlikely that the kenyi would show no male colors, unless it is getting bullied by the convict or at least feels constantly threat? These can go a long way in keeping aggression to a minimum.

 

[Community Disorganizer]

Well, first off how big is the kenyi? That can be the first determinate of whether it should be showing its adult colors yet.

I'm guessing around 3 or so inches. The kenyi digs alot in the gravel, and I was under the impression that only males like to dig?

If it is old enough to be showing adult colors either guess you made (female or submitting to the convict) are possible. But, I would find it a bit unlikely that the kenyi would show no male colors, unless it is getting bullied by the convict or at least feels constantly threat? These can go a long way in keeping aggression to a minimum.

It does not get bullied by the convict, but the convict does occasionally chase it out of his territory. The other day I put my 6 month old convict in with them, because I thought he could handle it, and within a few hours the kenyi shredded most of its fins and bit his scales off. I had to remove him or else the kenyi would've killed him. The larger convict just chased him until he got bored then let him alone.

 

[ck986]

At 3" she is pretty mature. She is digging a cave to mate in. Kenyi's get pretty big. She will get to 5-6" in size.

 

[Community Disorganizer]

At 3" she is pretty mature. She is digging a cave to mate in. Kenyi's get pretty big. She will get to 5-6" in size.

How do you think the harmony in my tank will go? She has been living with a male convict for a few months. Right now, the convict is the boss, but if they were the same size, I'd give it to the kenyi.

 

[spadoc79]

i had a kenyi in a mixed african tank and it beat up on every other fish in the tank(125g) so i moved it to my other tank that had 2 big oscars, couple of catfish, knifefish and a pike cichlid...the kenyi was only about 3 inches long and it ruled that tank also...i had to trade it in cause it was to mean..lol..hope yours works out better than mine did.

 

[ck986]

I don't know much about convicts, but kenyi's can be pretty aggressive. When mine is ready to release eggs she gets very aggressive. They should be fine so long as the convict can hold its own.

 

[Community Disorganizer]

i had a kenyi in a mixed african tank and it beat up on every other fish in the tank(125g) so i moved it to my other tank that had 2 big oscars, couple of catfish, knifefish and a pike cichlid...the kenyi was only about 3 inches long and it ruled that tank also...i had to trade it in cause it was to mean..lol..hope yours works out better than mine did.

Well I tried my kenyi in my 20 long with a pair of convicts. These cons had not bred yet, and were not guarding any eggs, but nonetheless, they were a pair. In a few minutes, the kenyi owned both of them and took over their nest. I had to remove the kenyi. In my 40 breeder, my male con is a gentle giant, he's mostly aloof, but the kenyi knows he is the boss.

My convict:

My kenyi:

 

[Community Disorganizer]

The kenyi is a pig. She probably eats twice as much as the convict.

 

[Community Disorganizer]

Actually, in the past few days my convict has become unhinged; he chases any fish in his sights, and harasses the kenyi.