AquaSage
Species library

Kribensis

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Cichlidae

FishDifficulty: ●●○○○Data: well-established

About

Kribensis is a small, hardy West African dwarf cichlid famous for its blushing cherry-red belly, which glows brightest on courting females. Native to the Niger Delta, it inhabits soft to hard fresh and even slightly brackish waters, making it very adaptable. A cave-spawning pair-bonder, it is a wonderful beginner cichlid, peaceful in a community outside of breeding but fiercely protective of fry once it spawns.

Care

Keep as a bonded pair with caves in a tank of 75 L or more. Tolerates a wide range of hardness and pH; becomes territorial around its cave when breeding, so give tankmates space.

Diet

Easy-going omnivore; feed pellets, flakes and frozen foods with occasional vegetable matter. Sifts the substrate for morsels.

Tankmate compatibility

Gets along with (16)

Possible with care (24)

Avoid (1)

Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.

Sources