TankBud

Ocellated kribensis

Pelvicachromis subocellatus

Also known as Ocellated krib, Subocellatus, Yellow-cheeked krib

FreshwaterFish

Ocellated kribensis (Pelvicachromis subocellatus)
Udo12345 · CC BY 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
3.9 in
10 cm
Minimum tank
21 gal
80 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Coastal streams and estuaries from Gabon to the Congo in West Africa.

Overview

The ocellated kribensis is a small West African cichlid for a soft-water tank with caves and plants. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The female ocellated kribensis puts on the brighter show when she is ready to breed. She curls to flash a deep purple black belly at the male.

Caring for the ocellated kribensis

A pair of ocellated kribensis does well in 21 gal (80 L) or more. Provide caves such as flowerpots or coconut shells, plus plants and driftwood for cover.

Keep the water soft and slightly acidic to neutral, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Feed small frozen and dry foods, including brine shrimp, bloodworm and fine pellets.

It is peaceful with other fish but guards its cave closely when spawning. Females are the more colorful sex, especially when courting, and a breeding female takes on a cherry red flush. A pair lays its eggs inside a small cave, and both parents guard the fry. Breeding is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

The ocellated kribensis, Pelvicachromis subocellatus, is a dwarf cichlid of the family Cichlidae. It is a close relative of the common kribensis, but it stays scarcer in the hobby.

In the wild

The ocellated kribensis comes from soft coastal waters between Gabon and the Congo. It lives near the bottom among roots and leaf litter, sometimes where fresh water meets a little salt.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The ocellated kribensis is a mostly peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does an ocellated kribensis need?

An ocellated kribensis needs at least 21 gal (80 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an ocellated kribensis need?

An ocellated kribensis is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.

What does an ocellated kribensis eat?

An ocellated kribensis eats small frozen and dry foods, including brine shrimp, bloodworm and fine pellets.

How big does an ocellated kribensis get?

An adult ocellated kribensis reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).

How can you tell a male ocellated kribensis from a female?

The female ocellated kribensis is the more colorful sex, especially when courting, and she takes on a cherry red flush when breeding.

How does an ocellated kribensis breed?

Ocellated kribensis are cave spawners. A pair lays its eggs inside a small cave, both parents guard the fry, and breeding is of medium difficulty.

Related species