KRIBENSIS

Written by Matty

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Kribensis

Scientific Name: Pelvicachromis pulcher
Max Size: 10cm (4”)
pH: 5-8
Water Temp: 24-28 deg C (75-82 deg F)

Appearance
The Kribensis is a small colourful fish. They generally have a brown body with violet to deep purple irridescence and red blotches on the lower side. The dorsal and caudal fins have light or yellow edges and often have black spots surrounded in yellow. They vary in appearance depending upon the place of origin, with various color morphs such as yellow, red, green, and blue.

Specific Requirements
The tank must be 3ft or longer because of this dwarf cichlids’ territorial nature when in breeding mode. Otherwise, a single pair can be kept in a species-only tank of 2ft in length, which would be a great beginner’s breeding project.

The aquarium should have a dark substrate and plenty of hiding places amongst bogwood, caves and plants - this is particularly important if housing with any other cave-dwelling species – there must be more than enough caves to go round.

Compatibility
Kribensis, being of a fairly peaceful nature, can be kept in most community settings.

Dietary Needs
Flake, micropellets, small slow-sinking pellets, frozen foods such as daphnia, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae etc.

Photo's and Information by Indigoj







Common name: Kribensis, Common Kribensis, Rainbow Krib.

Scientific name: Pelvicachromis pulcher

Origin: Southern Nigeria and Coastal areas of Cameroon.

Size: up to 12cm

Sexing: Females are usually squatter and shorter bodied, they have an intense belly colour, usually purple or red and have rounded fins. Males are larger, more slender, longer and have longer pointed fins.

Water: Can tolerate a wide range of water conditions from soft, acidic water to hard, alkaline and even in some cases mild brackish (although I wouldn’t recommend this). PH range is from 6.0 - 8.0. Neutral is ideal. From personal experience, mine are prolific breeders at 6.8 with a temperature anywhere between 24-28 deg C.

Aquarium: A tank no smaller than 100L if part of a community setup although a pair can be kept in smaller tanks of minimum 60L. Setup should be a sand or fine gravel substrate with rocks, wood and planted areas to provide hiding places and breeding holes.

Stocking: Best kept in pairs only unless the tank is very large. A single pair can consider a whole tank their territory. They can be kept in
a robust community although I would not recommend other cichlids.

Habitat: Found over a wide range of habitats from soft tannin rich waters of streams and brooks to slow moving rivers. Usually found near riverbanks nesting in leaf litter and around plants.

Diet: Eats plant matter, invertebrates including worms e.g. bloodworm and small crustaceans (prawns etc.); will readily adapt to most pre-prepared foods.

Breeding: An easy fish to breed, a good choice for beginner. Feed a good balanced diet and maintain excellent water quality. Provide suitable hiding places, a split terracotta plant pot or a coconut cave are ideal. A pair can be very territorial (mine have killed a few platies) and both will exhibit brood care of both eggs and young. They can be ready to breed as soon as 4 weeks after raising a brood so expect at least one brood every 6-8 weeks and around 30-70 per brood.