Kribensis
Pelvicachromis pulcher
A small West African cichlid whose female has a bright belly; a cave-spawning pair digs pits and guards fry along the bottom.
Key facts
- Body length
- 3.9 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 23 gallons
- Group
- 2+
- Temperament
- Peaceful, shy
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Cichlid pellets, flakes, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp
- Origin
- West Africa
- Hardier than73%
- Bigger than59%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Kribensis tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpShrimplets get eaten.Risky
- AngelfishAngelfish eats small fish: Kribensis.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Kribensis.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Kribensis.Risky
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid eats small fish: Kribensis (PROP).Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Kribensis.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Kribensis: prey body depth 2.2 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Kribensis: prey body depth 2.2 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Kribensis: prey body depth 2.2 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog eats small fish: Kribensis (ест всё, что влезает в рот, включая рыб своего размера).Avoid
- Marbled crayfishMarbled crayfish should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- AxolotlAxolotl can eat Kribensis: prey body depth 2.2 cm ≤ mouth 7.5 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for kribensis: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 10 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 15.00 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 5.08 BU
- Min. water
- 71 L net
- Min. footprint
- 60 × 37.5 cm per pair
- Group
- 2+ (best 2)
- Swims in
- bottom
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Care notes
Kribensis come from West Africa, and some wild populations even live in brackish water. Males reach about 4 inches while females stay noticeably smaller, and albino and red forms are common.
A pair needs a 20 gallon tank or larger with a 24-inch footprint, sand and a cave such as an upturned pot. Outside of breeding they are shy, but a pair with fry chases tank mates off the bottom, and females sometimes turn on their mate.
Questions
What size tank does a kribensis need?
At least 23 gallons (71 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 3.9 inches without fins.
How many kribensis should be kept together?
Keep at least 2, ideally 2 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do kribensis need?
75–81 °F, pH 6.5–7 and 0–12 dGH. Kribensis come from West Africa.
How long do kribensis live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with kribensis?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.