A small, colorful dwarf cichlid renowned for its vibrant coloration and relatively peaceful nature. Popular in community tanks for its interesting behaviors and adaptability.
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A small, colorful dwarf cichlid renowned for its vibrant coloration and relatively peaceful nature. Popular in community tanks for its interesting behaviors and adaptability.
Small, laterally compressed body with vibrant red, green, yellow, and blue markings. Females display brighter red bellies and stronger coloration than males. Both sexes have iridescent scales and distinct horizontal stripe markings.
5–8 years
Omnivorous; feeds on high-quality flakes, pellets, supplemented with live/frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and occasional vegetable matter.
Kribensis cichlids are an excellent choice for hobbyists seeking a colorful, engaging species with moderate care requirements. Their striking appearance and interesting behaviors add value to community tanks.
Intermediate; requires stable water parameters, tank with plenty of hiding spaces, and suitable diet.
20–30 gallons for a pair
5.0 to 8.0
5–20 dGH
75–79°F (24–26°C)
3.5–4 inches (9–10 cm)
Small to medium peaceful fish like tetras, rasboras, danios, small catfish, and other peaceful dwarf cichlids.
Large aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping fish, and overly boisterous or territorial species.
Pelvicachromis pulcher
Cichlidae
West Africa
Generally peaceful; exhibits territoriality during breeding. Can be kept singly, in pairs, or in small groups in sufficiently large tanks.
Feed 2 times daily with a varied diet of flakes, pellets, live/frozen foods, and occasional vegetables for vibrant coloration and health.
Cave spawner; pairs show strong parental care, guarding eggs and fry inside caves or dens.
Pairs select and clean a cave or hollow for egg-laying. Females lay 50-300 eggs which hatch in 3-5 days. Parents guard fry which feed on infusoria and baby brine shrimp initially.
pH: 5.0–8.0 (neutral preferred), Temperature: 75–79°F (24–26°C), Hardness: 5–20 dGH
Prone to ich, fungal infections, bacterial infections if water quality deteriorates. Prevent with consistent maintenance and quarantine new fish.
Generally peaceful but can be territorial during breeding. Best kept in pairs or in well-structured community tanks.
Social and active; territorial mainly in breeding season. Digging and rearranging substrate is common. Thrives in groups or pairs.
Kribensis cichlids are native to West Africa and thrive in well-planted aquariums with sandy or fine gravel substrate. They require stable, soft to moderately hard water with slightly acidic to neutral pH. Kribs are active diggers and benefit from numerous hiding spots and caves. They exhibit complex social behaviors and vibrant colors, especially during breeding when females display bright red coloration on their bellies. They are hardy fish but need clean water and moderate tank maintenance for optimal health.