Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Pelvicachromis pulcher
Common name
Kribensis
Purple Cichlid
Niger Cichlid
Palette Cichlid
Rainbow Krib
Pink Kribensis Cichlid
King Cichlid
Origin
Origin: Africa (Nigeria, Cameroon)
Biotope: African
Dimorphism
The male is more imposing; the fins are more rounded for the female
Group
Cichlidae
Volume
100 L / 22 imp gal / 26 US gal
Parameters
T°: 24 to 29°C or 75 to 84°F
pH: 6.5 to 7.5
Hardness: 1 to 10°dGH
Difficulty
Easy
Size
9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 4")
Longevity
6 to 8 years
Living zone
Depth
Individuals
2
Food
How to feed the Kribensis?
Food
How to feed the Kribensis?
Pelvicachromis pulcher is carnivorous with a scavanger tendency. More generally, it consumes everything that passes in front of it and that is adapted to its size.
It will therefore easily accept commercially available foods such as straws or pellets. To improve its well-being, supplement regularly with fresh or frozen food (daphnia, artemia...).
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Kribensis have?
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Kribensis have?
The Kribensis is of a rather calm nature. It is not very aggressive even with other territorial species.
It becomes more virulent during the breeding season: it protects its eggs and fry against any intruder approaching too closely. Each fish of this species will have to be maintained with another of the opposite sex (they form very faithful couples).
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Kribensis?
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Kribensis?
For the tranquility of your Pelvicachromis, avoid introducing territorial fish that are too big. Indeed, they could attack, hurt or take too much dominance on this quiet species.
Cohabitation with other groundfish such as Corydoras is not recommended because Corydoras may suffer (food competition).
Breeding
How to breed the Kribensis?
Breeding
How to breed the Kribensis?
Sexual dimorphism is quite obvious: the male is thinner and its fins (anal and dorsal) are longer and more pointed. The female just has a red belly.
Recommended water parameters for breeding: temperature at 25°C or 77°F, pH at 6.5 and hardness at 10°dGH.
The couple will choose a cavity in your aquarium, then will stay posted a moment before to defend this place of lay. When the female is ready, it will attract the male for spawning.
Then the spawning takes place. It can include between 70 and 120 eggs. This egg is then fiercely defended by the couple. The incubation is quite short: 3 days will suffice. On the other hand, the free swimming of the small ones intervenes only after 1 week.
Fry food: Artemia nauplii and commercially available fry feed.
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Kribensis?
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Kribensis?
To maintain a couple of Rainbow krib, you need at least a 100 liters (22 imp gal / 26 US gal) aquarium. If you want more, plan a larger bin. Indeed, this will allow each couple to have its territory and its dedicated cavity. This will be especially important during the breeding season.
To stay closer to the natural conditions of their habitat, choose sand as a substrate. Complete the decoration with branches or roots, but especially with stones forming cavities (pay attention to their stability). The Rainbow krib loves to hide and it will be useful for breeding.
This fish does not appreciate bright light. Sift the lighting by adding floating plants for example.
Tip: the Pelvicachromis Pulcher loves all the cavities that you can offer: broken amphorae, earthen pots, coconut...
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Kribensis is not particularly fragile, if the water has parameters that suit it.
This fish can vary its colour according to its emotional state: the more it is happy, and the more its colours will be beautiful and intense. This is especially true during the breeding season.
There are some colour variations: the belly of the female can be purple rather than red. They can also be very blue.
Its basic colour varies between male and female:
Kribensis Male
Kribensis Female
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