Signatus wallaceochromis
Wallaceochromis signatus
Also known as Pelvicachromis signatus, Bandi krib
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Adult size
- 3.7 in (9.5 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
- Southern Guinea streams
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
This is one of the larger West African kribs, kept as a single bonded pair rather than a group. It is fairly peaceful, but pairs become territorial when spawning, so choose calm, soft-water tankmates and give the pair caves at its own end of the tank. It spends its time near the bottom, working around roots and cover. Feed a varied omnivore diet of small sinking foods, frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and some plant matter. A tank of around 160 liters suits a pair with room for gentle tankmates.
In the wild
Wallaceochromis signatus lives in soft, shaded forest streams of southern Guinea. The water is soft, acidic, warm, and often stained with tannins. Recreate it with a dark sandy floor, roots and wood, leaf litter, and caves, in soft water at pH 5.5-7.0 and 23-27 C.
Good to know
Wallaceochromis signatus is a cichlid reaching about 9 to 10 centimeters. For most of its time in the hobby it was a Pelvicachromis; only in 2016 was it moved, along with humilis and rubrolabiatus, into the new genus Wallaceochromis. It is a cave spawner with both parents sharing brood care, and breeding is of medium difficulty.
Did you know
The species name signatus means marked, for the distinct patterning it carries. Its genus is newer than the fish itself: Wallaceochromis was only erected in 2016, splitting these robust Guinean kribs away from Pelvicachromis.
Common questions
What size tank does a Signatus wallaceochromis need?
A Signatus wallaceochromis needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Signatus wallaceochromis need?
Signatus wallaceochromis are comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
How big do Signatus wallaceochromis get?
An adult Signatus wallaceochromis reaches about 3.7 in (9.5 cm).
Where to buy
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Related species
Red-lip wallaceochromis
Wallaceochromis rubrolabiatusFreshwater3.1 in (8 cm)42 gal (160 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Yellow Kribensis
Wallaceochromis humilisFreshwater4.9 in (12.5 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Mungo blue benitochromis
Benitochromis finleyiFreshwater3.7 in (9.5 cm)42 gal (160 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Nigrodorsalis benitochromis
Benitochromis nigrodorsalisFreshwater3.7 in (9.5 cm)42 gal (160 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Roberts' limbochromis
Limbochromis robertsiFreshwater3.7 in (9.5 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Bigmouth dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma megastomaFreshwater3.7 in (9.5 cm)26 gal (100 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)