Ocellated kribensis
Pelvicachromis subocellatus
Also known as Ocellated krib, Subocellatus, Yellow-cheeked krib
FreshwaterFish
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
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Coastal streams and estuaries from Gabon to the Congo in West Africa.
Overview
A pair does well in a tank of about 80 liters with soft, slightly acidic to neutral water at 24 to 27 C, pH 5.5 to 7.5. Provide caves such as flowerpots or coconut shells plus plants and driftwood for cover. It is peaceful with other fish but guards its cave closely when spawning. Feed small frozen and dry foods including brine shrimp, bloodworm and fine pellets.
In the wild
The ocellated krib is a dwarf cichlid 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. Females show a striking dark belly and cherry red flush when breeding.
Good to know
Pelvicachromis subocellatus is a cave spawner in which the female is the more colorful sex, especially when courting. A pair lays eggs inside a small cave and both parents guard the fry. It is a close relative of the common kribensis but stays scarcer in the hobby.
Did you know
When she is ready to breed, the female puts on the brighter show, curling to flash a deep purple black belly at the male.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
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.
Apple snail
Pomacea canaliculata
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)64–81°F (18–27°C)
Pastel lily tetra
Psalidodon xavante
Freshwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Kuekenthal's halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon kuekenthali
Freshwater3.3 in (8.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Marble wood shrimp
Atya scabra
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Craggy-head banjo catfish
Bunocephalus verrucosus
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Nigerian yellow line tetra
Rhabdalestes septentrionalis
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
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.
How big does an Ocellated kribensis get?
An adult Ocellated kribensis reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).
Related species
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)
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)
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)
3.9 in (10 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Kribensis
Pelvicachromis pulcher
3.9 in (10 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)