Setup for Kenyi African Cichlids
- Thread starter lakeman
- Start date
Personally I would prefer yellow labs over Kenyi; as kenyi is much more aggressive.
How large will your tank be?
How large will your tank be?
I would recommend a 55gal or larger. Overstocking will reduce agression, but will also increase your involvement in maintenance (weekly water changes ideal). Heavy filtration (twice the usual manufacturers recommendation for their filters is a good guide, IE an ac110 on a 55gal), you also need to buffer the water to a high Ph, you can do this with chemical buffers, or ideally with crushed coral (aragonite) or the like. Also, Mbuna like salt. It is best to use salt specifically for African cichlids (because it contains the trace elements they need to thrive) but not essential. I have heard of some people using a combination of regular (Mortons) salt and baking Powder(Or soda?) but ask someone else about that because I don't know the combination. Lastly, you want LOTS of hiding places, there will be dominant fish in your group and the less dominant ones will want places to escape their chasers. Good luck! they are by far the most entertaining fish in the hobby!! (in my op)
Perfect, you will get some nice algae growning (they love to eat it) in a tank that shallow. Get some nice rocks and have fun!
Theres got to be other stores around who sell cichlids in your area. Even Petsmart or petgoods has a large selection of cichlids now a days.
Ive had my 55 gallon cichlid community set up for over 5 years now..and ive never once used salt in mine, although i have read they like it. I keep my PH at 8ish and have about 30-35 fish in my 55 gall, some ranging from fry to about 6 inches big. Beautiful to watch, and see how they interact.
Ive had my 55 gallon cichlid community set up for over 5 years now..and ive never once used salt in mine, although i have read they like it. I keep my PH at 8ish and have about 30-35 fish in my 55 gall, some ranging from fry to about 6 inches big. Beautiful to watch, and see how they interact.
Petsmart has some cichlids, but I would stay away from the "mixed" Africans as they are usually a mix breed and are really not good for the hobby (in that you don't want to support mixed breeding by purchasing them)
Have you tried a local forum or one in a city that is close by for fish?
Have you tried a local forum or one in a city that is close by for fish?
Well I can't claim to be an expert on Kenyi but I have 12 in my 55 gallon. The filtration is 545 gallons per hour. I have one are of the tank rocked with crevices and "caves" densely enough that they can't chase each other in it. IN a fifty five you're not going to want any more than 2 males. The others you're going to want to be females because males will fight each other for females and territory (Another reason overstocking works).
i actually like the mixed tanks, as you can pick and choose and they have more options. I have kenyi to johannis, red zebras, yellow labs, peacocks, albinos, arouras, and a few others, with a school of black tiped sharks, black fined sharks, eclipse catfish, plecos.
i think the mixed makes a nice tank. Yes sometimes you might get a hybrid breed, but it adds to the tank, imo. I had an electric blue johanni/red zebra mix once..but someone ate him
i think the mixed makes a nice tank. Yes sometimes you might get a hybrid breed, but it adds to the tank, imo. I had an electric blue johanni/red zebra mix once..but someone ate him
Welcome to MFK! You'll get great advice here! I would also research as much as you can on this site and others long before you set up your tank. Good luck!!