Wouri krib

Pelvicachromis drachenfelsi

Also known as Taeniatus Wouri, Drachenfels's krib

FreshwaterFish

Wouri krib (Pelvicachromis drachenfelsi) — 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: 3 in (7.5 cm)
Minimum tank: 29 gal (110 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Solitary
Tankmates: Tankmates with caution
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Wouri basin, Cameroon
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

The Wouri krib is a west African dwarf cichlid kept as a single bonded pair, which then holds and defends a small territory around a cave. It stays near the bottom, sifting sand and patrolling its patch. It is mostly peaceful but does guard a spawning site, so choose tankmates with a little care: small, calm upper-water fish such as small tetras or rasboras make good dither fish, and avoid other bottom cichlids that would compete for caves. Feed small sinking foods, frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and some crushed flake. A tank of around 110 liters or more with several caves suits a pair with room to breed.

In the wild

This krib comes from soft, warm forest streams in the Wouri drainage of Cameroon. Set up a shaded tank with fine sand, plenty of caves from rock or coconut shells and pots, driftwood, and some hardy plants. Keep it warm at about 23 to 27 C and the water soft and slightly acidic to neutral, around pH 5.5 to 7.0. Very soft water matters at breeding time, both for egg development and for a healthy mix of male and female fry.

Good to know

Pelvicachromis drachenfelsi is a cichlid that reaches around 7 centimeters, with males larger and more colourful than the smaller, rounder females. It was recognised as its own species in 2014, having long been traded as the Wouri form of Pelvicachromis taeniatus. It is a cave spawner: the pair lays eggs on the roof of a cave and both parents guard the fry. Breeding is of moderate difficulty, with balanced fry sex ratios the main challenge.

Did you know

As in its krib relatives, the water chemistry the eggs develop in skews the sex of the fry, so a tank that is too hard or at the wrong pH can produce a brood that is almost all one sex.