TankBud

Striped kribensis

Pelvicachromis taeniatus

Also known as Striped krib, Pelvicachromis kribensis

FreshwaterFish

Striped kribensis (Pelvicachromis taeniatus)
Neale Monks at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–79°F
24–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
3.1 in
8 cm
Minimum tank
19 gal
71 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Cave spawner · Easy
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Coastal southern Nigeria and Cameroon

Overview

The striped kribensis is a mostly peaceful dwarf cichlid that keeps to the bottom of a community tank. It is easy to keep and to breed.

Did you know

Striped kribensis form strong pair bonds and raise their young as a team. Both parents herd the fry and chase off anything that gets close to the nest. They are shy by nature, so a settled pair with a cave to defend acts far bolder than a single fish in the open.

Caring for the striped kribensis

Buy a group of six juveniles and let a pair form, then keep that pair in at least 19 gal (71 L). Give them a sand or fine gravel floor and a few caves or clay pots they can claim for spawning. They stick to the bottom.

Keep the water soft and warm, at 75 to 79°F (24 to 26°C). Hold the pH on the acidic to neutral side, at 6.0 to 7.5. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp, with the occasional vegetable matter.

Striped kribensis are mostly peaceful, but they turn territorial around the nest when breeding. They do well in a community of small characins and rasboras that stay up in the water column and out of the cave.

They are cave spawners, and the pair guards the eggs and fry together. Breeding them is easy. Keep one color line rather than crossing the morphs.

Good to know

The striped kribensis is a West African dwarf cichlid in the family Cichlidae. Several color morphs exist in the trade. With good care, these fish live several years.

In the wild

Striped kribensis come from soft, slightly acidic streams along the coast of southern Nigeria and Cameroon. The bottom there is sand or fine gravel, with leaf litter, roots and crevices the fish tuck into.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The striped kribensis is a mostly peaceful, social 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 a striped kribensis need?

A striped kribensis needs at least 19 gal (71 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a striped kribensis need?

A striped kribensis is comfortable at 75–79°F (24–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a striped kribensis eat?

A striped kribensis eats sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. Add the occasional bit of vegetable matter.

How big does a striped kribensis get?

An adult striped kribensis reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

How does a striped kribensis breed?

Striped kribensis are cave spawners, and the bonded pair guards the eggs and fry together. Breeding them is easy.

Related species