Kribensis Cichlid
Pelvicachromis pulcher
Also known as Krib, Rainbow Krib
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A rewarding, easygoing West African cichlid that is usually shy, until it breeds. Pairs then become fierce parents and defend their fry against everyone. Give them clay pots and caves, soft sand, and calm midwater tank mates, and you can watch real family life in your tank.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 19 US gal
- Footprint
- 24 x 15 in
- Temperature
- 75–81 °F
- pH
- 5–7.5
- Hardness
- 0–12 dGH
- Swim zone
- Bottom
- Min group
- 2 or more
- Lifespan
- About 5 years
Kribensis Cichlid tank mates and swim zone
Bottom
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Trigonostigma espei
Puntius titteya
Paracheirodon innesi
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Danio rerio
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Barbodes semifasciolatus
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Betta splendens
Betta often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Hyphessobrycon amandae
A larger, territorial cichlid that can eat fish as small as an ember.
Boraras brigittae
Kribensis Cichlid is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Chili Rasbora.
Danio margaritatus
Kribensis Cichlid is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Celestial Pearl Danio.
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Kribensis Cichlid feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed a good sinking cichlid pellet as a staple.
- Add frozen foods and some vegetable matter, which supports its health.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Males are larger with pointed fins. Females are smaller and develop a deep red belly when in condition.
Kribensis Cichlid care mistakes to avoid
- Plan for a pair, and read up on sexing before you buy so you do not end up with two rival males.
- Expect aggression when they breed. Pairs defend their fry against every other fish.
- Provide caves or clay pots, because each pair needs its own space.
- Keep larger fish out, since this shy fish hides from very vigorous tank mates.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 19 US gallons.
Kribensis Cichlid tank setup
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
TankAt least 19 US gal (71 L), 60 x 38 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Kribensis Cichlid. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
None of the tanks we recommend is big enough for this species yet. See Best 20-Gallon Fish Tank: 20 Long or 29? for what to look for.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Kribensis Cichlid, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Kribensis Cichlid's temperature range.
None of our picks for the US suits this species. The options below are for Spain, and we have not confirmed that they are sold in the US.
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 80 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Why we chose these (Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
FilterHang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
Seachem Tidal 55 Power Filter US
Marineland Penguin PRO 175 Power Filter US
Eheim LiBERTY 130 Hang-on Filter Spain
Seachem Tidal 35 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 75–81 °F (24–27 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29. Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 100 W US
Aqueon Submersible Glass Heater 100 W US
Eheim Thermocontrol e 100 Heater Spain
Tetra HT 100 Electronic Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateSand or fine gravel, because the fish dig pits when breeding.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorPlenty of hiding places and spawning sites: clay pots, caves, roots and driftwood.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsMostly safe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Kribensis Cichlid
We have not found a store that sells Kribensis Cichlid under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Kribensis Cichlid FAQ
What size tank do Kribensis Cichlids need?
Our sourced minimum is 19 US gallons (71 liters), with a footprint of 60 x 38 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Kribensis Cichlids should I keep?
A pair works well. Add more only if the tank is large enough for each fish to claim its own space.
What can live with Kribensis Cichlids?
Good matches on our list include Cardinal Tetra, Black Neon Tetra and Glowlight Tetra. Avoid Ember Tetra and Chili Rasbora.
How long do Kribensis Cichlids live?
Care guides report about 5 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Will kribs eat my other fish?
Normally no, but a breeding pair will chase anything nearby and may eat very small fish. Choose midwater tank mates that stay out of their way.
Kribensis Cichlid facts and sources
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Native to
- Southern Nigeria and Cameroon
- Adult size
- 3.9 in (10 cm)
- Temperament
- Territorial/Aggressive
- Social needs
- Harem/Pairs
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Fine Sand Required
- Live plants
- Mostly Safe
- Shrimp
- Will Eat Shrimp
- Fin nipping
- Low
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Moderate
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.