TankBud

Silvia's krib

Pelvicachromis silviae

Also known as Pelvicachromis affin subocellatus, Silviae dwarf krib

FreshwaterFish

Silvia's krib (Pelvicachromis silviae)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lower Niger Delta, Nigeria

Overview

Silvia's krib is a small, mostly peaceful cichlid for the bottom of a soft-water tank with caves. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

Silvia's krib was sold for decades without a proper name, as Pelvicachromis affinis subocellatus, roughly meaning close to subocellatus. It only became a species in its own right when it was formally described in 2013.

Caring for the Silvia's krib

Give a pair of Silvia's kribs a tank of at least 20 gal (75 L), which leaves room for a few gentle tank mates. Furnish it with a dark sandy floor, roots, caves and dried leaves, so the pair has plenty of cover. They spend most of their time near the bottom.

Keep the water soft, acidic and stained with tannins, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Feed small frozen and prepared foods.

Keep Silvia's kribs as a single bonded pair. They are mostly peaceful, but a spawning pair defends its patch, so choose small, calm tank mates with care.

Male Silvia's kribs grow a little larger than females. As with their relatives, the female runs the courtship, coloring up with a bright wine-red belly to lead the male. The pair spawns in a cave, and both parents care for the brood. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Good to know

Silvia's krib is one of the smallest kribs, a member of the cichlid family, Cichlidae. Anton Lamboj described it and named it for his wife, Silvia.

In the wild

Silvia's krib comes from soft, slow creeks and streams of the lower Niger system in southern Nigeria. The water there is soft, acidic and warm, and darkened by leaf litter.

Common questions

What size tank does a Silvia's krib need?

A Silvia's krib needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Silvia's krib need?

A Silvia's krib is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a Silvia's krib eat?

A Silvia's krib eats small frozen and prepared foods.

How big does a Silvia's krib get?

An adult Silvia's krib reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

How can you tell a male Silvia's krib from a female?

Males grow a little larger than females. A courting female colors up with a bright wine-red belly to lead the male.

How does a Silvia's krib breed?

Silvia's kribs spawn in a cave as a bonded pair, and both parents care for the brood. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Related species