Above: In this picture is a pair of young mature premium quality Kribensis Cichlids, swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.

The male is the larger fish on the upper right side of the picture.

Comments: These are wonderful aquarium fish with great colors. We never see premium quality fish like these in any of the fish stores or in any of the online stores that we visit.

Premium quality fish have brighter colors, more energy, and a metallic sheen.

Origin: The ancestors of these Kribensis Cichlids lived in the rivers of Cameroon and Nigeria in West Africa.

But now they live in aquariums all over the world.

Maximum Size: In aquariums, males can grow to be about 4" long, including their tails, which is a very nice size for aquariums.

Females grow to be about 3" long.

Behaviors: Kribensis are usually mild tempered fish, but when spawning they become more aggressive in protecting their spawning site and then later in protecting their babies.

Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include African Butterfly Fish, African Black Knifefish, Congo Tetra and other medium sized Tetras and Barbs.

Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.

Temperature: Kribensis live best from about 74 to 80-degrees F. with 76 to 78 being perhaps ideal.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is the best food for most Cichlids like these Kribensis,

It's best to feed them small pellets, when they're small, then gradually increase the size of the pellets, as they grow bigger.

Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.

Water Conditions: These fish live best at a pH of about 6.5 to 7.5 with low to moderate hardness.

Most of the water in the U.S. has a higher pH and is harder but is OK, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or alkalinity.

Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: Kribensis will do well in an aquarium with at least 30-gallons of water, which gives them enough space to establish a territory and chase the other fish out of their territory.

Decor: Kribensis do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

Click here for more about aquarium gravel.

Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, and Kribensis seem to appreciate plants and do better in an aquarium with live plants.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.

Most 30-gallon aquariums have room along the back for one Penguin 350B Filter, and this is sort of the minimum set up for Kribensis.

Better is a 50 or 60-gallon aquarium with one or two Penguin 350B Filters.

Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.

The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range.

Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: Kribensis can live for about 5 to 8-years.

Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they'll most likely breed and produce the next generation of fish for your aquarium.

Gender: Males and females are both colorful, and become much more colorful before and during spawning.

Also the Dorsal fin on the Females tends to be more rounded, on the other hand the Male's Dorsal fin is more pointed, as you can see in the picture.

Breeding: Kribensis are rather easy to breed. It helps to increase the temperature of the water about 2-degrees.

So DrTom usually keeps them at about 76 to 78-degrees then increases the temperature a couple of degrees to 78 to 80-degrees, when he wants them to spawn.

Another trick is to remove about 5% of the water, and replace it with de-ionized water, which emulates rain, and that seems to stimulate spawning in this species.

Repeat replacing 5% of the water with de-ionized water each day for a few days.

Also it seems to help increasing the number of hours a day with the lights are on in the aquarium.

These Cichlids prefer to spawn in a cave.

If you want to spawn this species, buy 6 of them and let them pair off in your aquarium.

Popularity: Kribensis have been a very popular aquarium fish for a long time.

Names: Their scientific name is Pelvicachromis pulcher.

Variations: There are several color variations, plus an albino variety, and several other closely related species that are often confused with Kribensis.

The variety that we sell is the most colorful variation that we've ever seen and the least expensive.

Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Kribensis Cichlids, including a picture gallery.

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.

DrTom - 08/09/2015