Kribensis
Pelvicachromis pulcher
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 3.9 in
- 10 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Cave spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Nigeria, Cameroon
Overview
The kribensis is a peaceful dwarf cichlid that suits a planted community tank. It is an easy fish to keep.
Caring for the kribensis
A pair of kribensis does fine in a tank of at least 20 gal (75 L). Recreate their home with a planted tank, a soft substrate and some caves or overturned pots. Plants and hiding spots break up sightlines.
Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed quality pellets and flake, plus occasional frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp.
Kribensis are peaceful, and a pair settles around a chosen cave. They get territorial only while guarding a brood, so give other bottom dwellers room to avoid the nest.
Females run a bit smaller than males. They are cave spawners, and the female shows a deep pink-red belly when she is ready to breed. Breeding them is moderately difficult.
Good to know
The kribensis, Pelvicachromis pulcher, is a dwarf cichlid in the family Cichlidae. Wild populations are stable and listed as Least Concern.
In the wild
Kribensis come from slow rivers, streams and floodplain swamps in Nigeria and Cameroon. The water there is often soft and slightly acidic, with thick plant growth. They use the cover and the bottom for shelter and breeding.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The kribensis is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Sterba's cory
Hoplisoma sterbai
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Blue panchax
Aplocheilus panchax
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Marble wood shrimp
Atya scabra
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Bristlenose pleco
Ancistrus sp.
Freshwater4.9 in (12.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a kribensis need?
A kribensis needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a kribensis need?
A kribensis is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a kribensis eat?
A kribensis eats quality pellets and flake. Add frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp now and then.
How big does a kribensis get?
An adult kribensis reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).
How can you tell a male kribensis from a female?
Males grow a bit larger than females. A female ready to breed shows a deep pink-red belly.
How does a kribensis breed?
Kribensis are cave spawners that pair off around a chosen cave. The pair guards its brood, and breeding them is moderately difficult.
Related species
3.9 in (10 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Giant kribensis
Pelvicachromis sacrimontis
3.9 in (10 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)21 gal (80 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Ocellated kribensis
Pelvicachromis subocellatus
3.9 in (10 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Roloff's krib
Pelvicachromis roloffi
3.1 in (8 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)19 gal (71 L)75–79°F (24–26°C)Striped kribensis
Pelvicachromis taeniatus
3.1 in (8 cm) · 19 gal (71 L)
3 in (7.5 cm)18 gal (70 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Wouri krib
Pelvicachromis drachenfelsi
3 in (7.5 cm) · 18 gal (70 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Silvia's krib
Pelvicachromis silviae
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)