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
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Nigeria, Cameroon
Overview
Kribs are peaceful, easy dwarf cichlids that pair off and stay near the bottom around their chosen cave. A pair does fine in about 75 liters with plants and hiding spots to break up sightlines. Feed quality pellets and flake plus occasional frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp. They get territorial only while guarding a brood, so give other bottom dwellers room to avoid the nest.
In the wild
Kribensis come from slow rivers, streams, and floodplain swamps in Nigeria and Cameroon, often in soft, slightly acidic water with thick plant growth. They use the cover and the bottom for shelter and breeding. Recreate that with a planted tank, a soft substrate, and some caves or overturned pots. Water in the pH 6 to 7.5 range and temps in the mid 20s C work well.
Good to know
Pelvicachromis pulcher is a dwarf cichlid in the family Cichlidae. Males reach about 10 cm and females run a bit smaller. They are cave-spawners, with the female showing a deep pink-red belly when ready to breed. Wild populations are stable and listed as Least Concern.
Did you know
Kribs can shift the sex ratio of their fry based on water pH. More acidic water tends to produce more males and more alkaline water more females, which is an unusual trick among aquarium fish.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
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.
Marble wood shrimp
Atya scabra
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Borneo kuhli loach
Pangio borneensis
Freshwater2.5 in (6.3 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Six-barred panchax
Epiplatys sexfasciatus
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Aurora tetra
Moenkhausia aurora
Freshwater2 in (5.2 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Barito loach
Kapuasia falaris
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Kuekenthal's halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon kuekenthali
Freshwater3.3 in (8.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°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.
How big does a Kribensis get?
An adult Kribensis reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).
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)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Wouri krib
Pelvicachromis drachenfelsi
3 in (7.5 cm) · 29 gal (110 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)