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Kribensis - Pelvicachromis pulcher
http://aquagarden.ca/fish-spotlight-kribensis-cichlids/
Synonyms:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidi
Family: Cichlidae
Genera: Pelvicachromis
Common Names: Kribensis, Kribs, Rainbow Cichlid, Purple Cichlid
Category: African Cichlid
Family: Cichlidae
Origin: Nigeria
Main Ecosystem: Niger river delta
Salinity: Freshwater
Temperment: Generally peaceful, aggressive when breeding. Unfortunately this fish breeds frequently
Diet: Omnivore
Care: A very versatile fish, Kribs prefer a planted tank with hiding places - ideally some type of cave. They will happily eat almost any type of food you put into the tank. Since they tend to inhabit the lower regions of the tank they prefer sinking foods such as pellets or wafers but if they are very hungry they will eat from the surface. These fish are omnivorous and will snack on both plants and algae. If hungry they will eat smaller snails such as pond snails or MTS but they should bot be relied upon as a snail cleanup crew. These fish will pair up and establish territories so ensure you have enough space to accomodate their needs.
pH: 6.8-7.5
Temperature: 74-82F 24-29C
Hardness: Soft to medium. dH range: 0.0 - 12.0
Potential size: 4 to 5 inches
Water Region: Lower portions of the tank.
Activity: Kribs are most active during the daylight hours. They spend much of their time picking through the substrate for any food they can find. They will also pick at plants but will not damage a planted tank.
Lifespan: Approximately 5 years
Color: Black, purple, red, yellow and gray
Mouth: Normal
Sexing: The males have elongated dorsal, anal and tail fins. The pectoral and anal fins are a vibrant blue while the dorsal and tail fins are fringed in a varying pattern of blue, yellow and orange, sometimes including black spots. The tailfin is pointed and in an arrowhead shape. A male in a breeding mood will have a reddish belly.
Females have more rounded fins and are shorter overall. They are more colourful in their bodies with the main characteristics being yellow body highlights and a purple or magenta flush on the belly.
Acclimation: Kribs are very hardy and only require the standard acclimation process. Float the transfer bag in your tank for approximately half an hour to balance water temperature. Transfer them into the tank by pouring them from the bag into a net and passing them from the net into the tank.
Breeding: Kribensis are prolific breeders and do not require special attention. They prefer laying their eggs within a cave-like structure that is defensible. Rocks, driftwood, flower pots or even dense vegetation will suffice. The male will prepare the nest by clearing it of debris, including any gravel in the substrate. The male and female will then signal one another by entering the nest and 'shimmying' their body. The female will lay 40-50 eggs and attach them to the sides or roof of the nest. She will then fan them to ensure water flows over them. Both parents will very aggressively defend the next against all intruders - they will even bite your hand if you get too close! The eggs will hatch within 3-4 days. For the first few days the fry will huddle within the nest and the parents will watch over them carefully, moving them by mouth back into the next if they stray outside. By day 5 the fry will be mobile and the parents will escort a fry-cloud around the area. Should any danger appear, the parents will perform a warning shake and the fry will immediately shrink and freeze against the substrate. This process continues for a couple of weeks until the fry can take care of themselves.
Comments: Kribensis are very tough fish which can thrive in a variety of tank conditions. They like to form male/female pairs and are quite active around the tank as long as there are dither fish present such as cherry barbs or tetras. They like enclosed spaces such as small caves or dense plants with space to hide underneath. They are very easy to breed and in fact this can be one of their negative qualities as they become very aggressive when protecting their nest and young. On their own or placed in a tank with other small cichlids they will do fine but in a larger community tank they can be a problem because of their agression as you can expect them to breed at least once a month.
http://aquagarden.ca/fish-spotlight-kribensis-cichlids/
Synonyms:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidi
Family: Cichlidae
Genera: Pelvicachromis
Common Names: Kribensis, Kribs, Rainbow Cichlid, Purple Cichlid
Category: African Cichlid
Family: Cichlidae
Origin: Nigeria
Main Ecosystem: Niger river delta
Salinity: Freshwater
Temperment: Generally peaceful, aggressive when breeding. Unfortunately this fish breeds frequently
Diet: Omnivore
Care: A very versatile fish, Kribs prefer a planted tank with hiding places - ideally some type of cave. They will happily eat almost any type of food you put into the tank. Since they tend to inhabit the lower regions of the tank they prefer sinking foods such as pellets or wafers but if they are very hungry they will eat from the surface. These fish are omnivorous and will snack on both plants and algae. If hungry they will eat smaller snails such as pond snails or MTS but they should bot be relied upon as a snail cleanup crew. These fish will pair up and establish territories so ensure you have enough space to accomodate their needs.
pH: 6.8-7.5
Temperature: 74-82F 24-29C
Hardness: Soft to medium. dH range: 0.0 - 12.0
Potential size: 4 to 5 inches
Water Region: Lower portions of the tank.
Activity: Kribs are most active during the daylight hours. They spend much of their time picking through the substrate for any food they can find. They will also pick at plants but will not damage a planted tank.
Lifespan: Approximately 5 years
Color: Black, purple, red, yellow and gray
Mouth: Normal
Sexing: The males have elongated dorsal, anal and tail fins. The pectoral and anal fins are a vibrant blue while the dorsal and tail fins are fringed in a varying pattern of blue, yellow and orange, sometimes including black spots. The tailfin is pointed and in an arrowhead shape. A male in a breeding mood will have a reddish belly.
Females have more rounded fins and are shorter overall. They are more colourful in their bodies with the main characteristics being yellow body highlights and a purple or magenta flush on the belly.
Acclimation: Kribs are very hardy and only require the standard acclimation process. Float the transfer bag in your tank for approximately half an hour to balance water temperature. Transfer them into the tank by pouring them from the bag into a net and passing them from the net into the tank.
Breeding: Kribensis are prolific breeders and do not require special attention. They prefer laying their eggs within a cave-like structure that is defensible. Rocks, driftwood, flower pots or even dense vegetation will suffice. The male will prepare the nest by clearing it of debris, including any gravel in the substrate. The male and female will then signal one another by entering the nest and 'shimmying' their body. The female will lay 40-50 eggs and attach them to the sides or roof of the nest. She will then fan them to ensure water flows over them. Both parents will very aggressively defend the next against all intruders - they will even bite your hand if you get too close! The eggs will hatch within 3-4 days. For the first few days the fry will huddle within the nest and the parents will watch over them carefully, moving them by mouth back into the next if they stray outside. By day 5 the fry will be mobile and the parents will escort a fry-cloud around the area. Should any danger appear, the parents will perform a warning shake and the fry will immediately shrink and freeze against the substrate. This process continues for a couple of weeks until the fry can take care of themselves.
Comments: Kribensis are very tough fish which can thrive in a variety of tank conditions. They like to form male/female pairs and are quite active around the tank as long as there are dither fish present such as cherry barbs or tetras. They like enclosed spaces such as small caves or dense plants with space to hide underneath. They are very easy to breed and in fact this can be one of their negative qualities as they become very aggressive when protecting their nest and young. On their own or placed in a tank with other small cichlids they will do fine but in a larger community tank they can be a problem because of their agression as you can expect them to breed at least once a month.
