Kribensis (Pelvicachromis pulcher)

Common Name:

Kribensis.

Other Names:

Nigerian cichlid, purple cichlid.

Scientific Name:

Pelvicachromis pulcher.

Family:

Cichlidae.

Class:

African.

Distribution:

Nigeria.

Size:

Apprx 3-4" when fully mature.

Diet:

Kribs are omnivores. Hikari gold pellets, spirulina flakes, spinach, and freeze dried foods such as blood worms make great foods for these fish. They also relish live foods such as brine shrimp.

Water Temperature:

75-81 degrees Fahrenheit (24-27 Centigrade).

Water Chemistry:

6.5-7.5 ph although tank raised specimens can be kept higher (8.4), and soft to medium hardness.

Life Span:

5 years.

Minimum recommended tank size:

For a breeding pair or single I would recommend a 20g long. If you plan to keep a breeding pair with tank mates I'd say 55g minimum long term. Although it's not unheard of to do this in smaller tanks, its best for the tank mates well being.

Nomenclature:

The kribensis is now Pelvicachromis pulcher, but prior to that it was Pelmatochromis kribensis, then Pelmatochromis pulcher.

Breeding:

Kribs are cave only spawners and will not spawn out in the open like other cichlids. Clay flowerpots and PVC pipes make good caves for them to spawn in. They are very easy to breed. The female is usually first to start courting the male. She will show her colours and give vertical displays for the male. Once the pair has formed they will choose a spot to spawn and clean out the cave (flowerpot/pvc pipe etc.) and the female will deposit anywhere from 50-300 eggs, and the male will follow up and fertilize them. The female and male take turns guarding the eggs while the other goes out in search of food. Typical of other cichlids as well, they give a vertical display to signal shift change. The eggs hatch around 3 day's later sometimes longer, and the wigglers are transferred to a pit or other areas by the mouths of the parents. After about 5-10 more days the fry become free swimming, and begin to feed on organic matter, crushed flake or baby brine shrimp. Remove the fry after they are around half an inch and not too soon, because if you remove them to early the male make beat on the female to the point of death because he will want to spawn again and she may not be physically ready.

Description:

Kribs are a very colourful fish with reddish pink undersides purple pectoral and anal fins, yellow and black striping by the face. Sometimes a green sheen will be seen on the gill plate and there are lots of orange reds and yellows along the dorsal and caudal fins. Kribs can and will be territorial especially when spawning. These fish typically get to around 3-4" when fully mature. They are middle to bottom region dwellers and tank mates in a smaller tank shouldn't include to many fish that stay near the bottom and can be looked at as competition. Suitable tank mates would include other dwarf cichlids such as rams, curviceps etc. Tetras and smaller barbs are good tank mates but fish such as angels would make poor decisions because kribs tend to nip at free flowing fins.

Sexing:

Sexing these fish is increasingly difficult the younger the fish is. Males will have longer more pointed fins with color extending all the way to the end of the fin. This normally isn't the case on females. A strange way to sex these fish which isn't usually the case with other fish is the caudal fin will actually be pointed on males whereas its rounded on the female. Females also have much more intense red/pink on the underside and their bodies are more rounded than the males.

Miscellaneous:

These fish are from rivers and should be kept in clean well-planted aquariums with a lot of places to hide or claim as territory. Depending on the particular kribs personality they may be skittish and not brave enough to be out in the open so barbs or tetras would be necessary as dithers. These fish in the wild are actually found in brackish conditions as well but it is not necessary in the aquarium. They are hardy fish, and water chemistry isn't very important as long as it doesn't fluctuate.

Photo Credit:

Photo 1 supplied courtesy and ^©Amy Janecek AKA Buddy
Photo 2 supplied courtesy and ^© Off-ice