Red-lip wallaceochromis

Wallaceochromis rubrolabiatus

Also known as Pelvicachromis rubrolabiatus, Dikya krib

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–81°F (23–27°C)
pH: 5.5–7.0
Adult size: 3.1 in (8 cm)
Minimum tank: 42 gal (160 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Solitary
Tankmates: Tankmates with caution
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Kolenté drainage, Guinea
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

This is a West African dwarf cichlid in the krib family, kept as a single fish or a bonded pair that holds a small bottom territory around a cave. Pairs are mostly peaceful but become protective when breeding, so give calm, small tankmates and enough cover that the pair can claim a corner without conflict. It works the lower tank, taking small foods, so feed frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, and a fine sinking pellet, with a little vegetable matter. It stays around 8 to 10 centimeters, a touch larger than most kribs, so allow about 160 liters with caves, wood, and leaf litter.

In the wild

It comes from the Kolente drainage in Guinea, living in soft, acidic streams that run through shaded forest over sand and leaf litter. Recreate that with soft water, a dark sand base, driftwood, leaf litter, and caves or half-buried pots for spawning. Keep the temperature around 23 to 27 C and the pH low, roughly 5.5 to 7, with gentle flow and subdued light to bring out the pair's color.

Good to know

Wallaceochromis rubrolabiatus is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae, reaching about 8 to 10 centimeters and marked with several dark vertical bars. Its species name means red lip, after the lipstick-red mouth the males display, and in 2016 it was moved into the new genus Wallaceochromis, named in honor of the naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace. It is a cave spawner of moderate difficulty, the female flushing deep cherry-red on the belly when ready to breed.

Did you know

Its genus honors a naturalist who never worked its continent: Alfred Russel Wallace made his name in the Amazon and the Malay Archipelago, yet in 2016 taxonomists tied his name to this West African cichlid.