Kribensis

COMMON NAMES: Krib or Kribensis.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pelvicachromis pulcher. SYNONYMS: Pelnzatochromis krzbensis, Pelmatochromis pulcher.

DESIGNATION: Tropical.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Lower Nigeria. SIZE: Males up to 10 cm (4 in), females considerably smaller.

WATER PREFERENCES: Not Critical. Temperature: 25-28°C (77-82°F).

DIET: All foods.

BREEDING: Females play the dominant role in spawning but both parents guard the eggs and fry. Eggs are laid under cover.

DESCRIPTION: The sex of fry is, reportedly, greatly influenced by the pH of the water, with the proportion of females increasing with the pH. Several similar-looking species are seen from time to time, particularly the slightly larger Giant Krib (Pelvicachromis cf pulcher).

Kribensis Information

• The fish named Kribensis or in short krib is a popular aquarium fish. It has brilliant coloration. It is ideal fish for novice fish breeders as they can tolerate a wide range of water conditions. The fish is also a true cichlid that exhibits all the characteristics of the cichlids.
• The fish is categorized under the dwarf cichlids as they grow maximum up to the size of 4 cms. The fish can develop beautiful coloration if properly taken care of. They develop a purple patch at the middle of their belly.
• Though often recommended the fish to be kept in community fish tank but ideally the fish should not be kept in a community water tank as during the breeding and spawning season they become extremely territorial and that are up to always attacking fish of other species during that particular time.
• The breeding of the fish is quite easy as the parents look after their fry. For successful breed you are recommended to feed the fish a wide variety of diet that consist of good flake foods, cichlid pellet along with live or frozen food on a periodic basis.
• Before introducing the fish one should keep them in a quarantine tank for few days. You may prepare the fish tank by filling up the base of the tank with fine gravels. This would enable the fish dig holes in it. You may also introduce some plat pots with holes drilled in them as this would serve as a good hiding place for the fish.
• Like other cichlids this variety of cichlids can be bred easily as they are able to take care of themselves and also their fry. Sometimes the female are seen to be more aggressive than the male but it is only when the male fish is not able to protect the fry properly.
• The process of spawning starts with the female fish that dances around the male to attract him. Them together look out for a good hiding place where the female lays its eggs. The place is generally on top of a cave or a flower pot structure. After laying of the eggs the male fertilizes the eggs. The female then guards the fertilized eggs while the male guards both the eggs and the female mother fish.