Identity and search names

Common name
Kribensis
Scientific name
Pelvicachromis pulcher
Other names
Krib, Common kribensis, Pelvicachromis kribensis
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Dwarf cichlids
Origin
Lower Niger, Cross River and nearby coastal drainages of Nigeria and Cameroon
Review outcome
PASSED

Environment and housing

Environment
Freshwater
Care level
Beginner to intermediate
Adult size
Females usually 6–8 cm and males about 8–10 cm total length
Expected lifespan
About 5–8 years
Minimum housing
At least 120 L for a compatible pair, with a separate cave territory and removal plan
Temperature
24–27 °C
pH
5.0–7.5
Hardness or minerals
Soft to moderately hard
Salinity
Freshwater; some wild localities may be near estuarine influence but routine salt is unnecessary
Lighting
Subdued to moderate with shaded cave entrances
Social structure
Keep a proven compatible pair or a single fish; do not force arbitrary adults together
Placement or swimming zone
Bottom and lower-middle water
Temperament
Usually manageable but strongly territorial during courtship and brood care
Compatibility
Peaceful upper-water fish can work outside breeding, but bottom fish may be attacked once a pair has fry
Habitat structure
Sand, wood, plants, leaf litter, several caves and clear visual boundaries around the chosen brood site

Feeding and nutrition

Diet
Small invertebrates, algae, detritus and balanced omnivore-cichlid foods
Feeding frequency
Feed small varied portions once or twice daily and prevent cave-holding fish from monopolising food

Breeding and reproduction

Breeding or reproduction
The female lays adhesive eggs inside a cave. Both parents care for the brood, with the female usually tending eggs and larvae while the male defends the outer territory
Parental care
Strong biparental care of eggs, larvae and mobile fry

System demands

Filtration
Use mature biological filtration sized for the full adult group and feeding load, with intake protection where juveniles, long fins or small fish are present. Provide steady turnover without preventing normal swimming or resting.
Aeration
Maintain strong surface gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen. Increase aeration during warm weather, medication, transport recovery, breeding crowding or any ammonia or nitrite event.
Maintenance
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, remove waste from feeding and shelter zones, and perform regular temperature- and chemistry-matched water changes before nitrate or dissolved organics accumulate.

Detailed husbandry

Identity scope
This profile applies to Pelvicachromis pulcher. Other Pelvicachromis sold as “kribensis” are separate species and should retain their locality and scientific identity.
Adult size and space
Females usually 6–8 cm and males about 8–10 cm total length. At least 120 L for a compatible pair, with a separate cave territory and removal plan. Plan around adult dimensions, activity, social structure, aggression and waste production rather than sale size.
Social structure
Keep a proven compatible pair or a single fish; do not force arbitrary adults together
Placement or swimming zone
Primary zone: Bottom and lower-middle water. Keep that zone usable for movement, feeding and refuge.
Feeding ecology
Small invertebrates, algae, detritus and balanced omnivore-cichlid foods
Feeding plan
Feed small varied portions once or twice daily and prevent cave-holding fish from monopolising food
Water stability
Maintain 24–27 °C; pH 5.0–7.5; hardness/minerals: Soft to moderately hard. Stable oxygenation and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact number.
Adult projected load
Plan capacity for Keep a proven compatible pair or a single fish; do not force arbitrary adults together at the documented adult size (Females usually 6–8 cm and males about 8–10 cm total length) in At least 120 L for a compatible pair, with a separate cave territory and removal plan. Include feeding intensity, territorial behaviour and breeding growth rather than counting sale-size juveniles.
Filtration
Use mature biological filtration sized for the full adult group and feeding load, with intake protection where juveniles, long fins or small fish are present. Provide steady turnover without preventing normal swimming or resting.
Aeration
Maintain strong surface gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen. Increase aeration during warm weather, medication, transport recovery, breeding crowding or any ammonia or nitrite event.
Maintenance
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, remove waste from feeding and shelter zones, and perform regular temperature- and chemistry-matched water changes before nitrate or dissolved organics accumulate.
Habitat structure
Sand, wood, plants, leaf litter, several caves and clear visual boundaries around the chosen brood site
Compatibility plan
Peaceful upper-water fish can work outside breeding, but bottom fish may be attacked once a pair has fry
Breeding plan
The female lays adhesive eggs inside a cave. Both parents care for the brood, with the female usually tending eggs and larvae while the male defends the outer territory Parental care: Strong biparental care of eggs, larvae and mobile fry.
Quarantine
Quarantine new fish in a separate cycled aquarium with dedicated equipment. Match temperature and mineral chemistry gradually, confirm feeding and normal respiration, and never add transport water to the established aquarium.
Welfare checks
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. A breeding pair can control most of a small aquarium and repeatedly attack catfish or other bottom dwellers. Keep a divider and relocation option ready.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.
Main risk
A breeding pair can control most of a small aquarium and repeatedly attack catfish or other bottom dwellers. Keep a divider and relocation option ready.
Overridable warnings
A breeding pair can control most of a small aquarium and repeatedly attack catfish or other bottom dwellers. Keep a divider and relocation option ready. Any override must still preserve adult space, social welfare, stable chemistry, oxygen and filter capacity.

Welfare and risk

Welfare checks
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. A breeding pair can control most of a small aquarium and repeatedly attack catfish or other bottom dwellers. Keep a divider and relocation option ready.
Main warning
A breeding pair can control most of a small aquarium and repeatedly attack catfish or other bottom dwellers. Keep a divider and relocation option ready.
Biosecurity
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.

Sources

Source note

Current identity or scope, husbandry, system-demand, welfare and Australian biosecurity evidence checked; active retired-source links removed; all AquaNexus wording is original.

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