| Kribensis or Pelvicachromis pulcher are of the | | | | spawning cycle. Privacy is essential to spawning. |
| family Cichlidae more commonly referred to as | | | | Kribs will seek out caves or hollow aquarium decor |
| cichlids. They are native to the waters of West | | | | to spawn in. |
| Africa, primarily found in Nigeria. They can be | | | | The eggs will be deposited on the roof of their |
| found in anywhere from free flowing to brakish | | | | mating chamber. Spawning is complete when the |
| water. Kribensis are also referred to as dwarf | | | | male leave the spawning chamber. Sometimes |
| African cichlids, purple cichlids, and kribs an | | | | males will become aggressive toward the female |
| abbreviation of their species name. Cichlids are | | | | after spawning takes place. If this happens the |
| among the most numerous and varied species on | | | | male should be removed from the tank. If it does |
| Earth. Over 1,300 species have thus far been | | | | not he may be left with the female. |
| identified and classified. | | | | The female will stay in the chamber until the eggs |
| Kribs are very popular among freshwater | | | | hatch. This will occur in 36-48 hours. It is not |
| aquarists because of their almost saltwater quality | | | | uncommon for both adults to guard over the |
| coloration. | | | | eggs until they hatch. |
| Unlike most African cichlids, kribs have a | | | | In 3-4 days the fry will be free swimming. Both |
| temperament conducive to community living. | | | | parents will demonstrate parental instincts toward |
| They will adapt better to a community tank if | | | | their newly hatched offspring. They will herd the |
| given plenty of plants, rocks and hollow aquarium | | | | brood around the tank keeping a watchful eye |
| decorations to hide in. | | | | over them. There are rare occasions when adult |
| Kribs thrive in soft to medium hard water with a | | | | kribs have been reported to eat the fry once |
| pH level between 6.5-7.0 and a temperature range | | | | they are free swimming. This is not common. You |
| of 75-82°. They are a medium sized fish | | | | can play it safe by removing the adults if you |
| reaching three to four inches in length as adults | | | | choose. |
| and have an average life spa of five years. | | | | A report issued by Barlow in the year 2000 |
| Kribensis are omnivores. They eat worms, | | | | stated that fry raised in an acidic environment will |
| insects, small crustaceans and plants in their | | | | be mostly male. A neutral or slightly alkaline |
| natural habitat. In captivity they fare just fine on | | | | content will result in a heavier female population. I |
| common variety tropical fish flakes. | | | | found this information one of the more interesting |
| Distinguishing males from females is easy. The | | | | facts I came across while researching this cichlid. |
| males are larger than the females. Unlike most | | | | Free swimming fry can be fed liquid fry food |
| tropical fish, it is the female who has the more | | | | available at most fish stores. A suitable alternative |
| vibrant color palette. | | | | to store bought food is powdered eggs. Add it |
| Breeding Kribensis | | | | sparingly to avoid fouling the water. Fry are small. |
| Feeding them a diet high in protein such as brine | | | | They don't eat much. |
| shrimp, tubifex or bloodworms will help induce the | | | | |