How aggressive are Kribensis?

Do Kribensis fish pick on their females?

They don’t pick on their females, feed willingly, and, if provided with a little privacy, will quite happily go and spawn. And once they have, they’re happy to raise the fry up themselves. These are the Kribensis-fish that have become an aquarium standard for the community keeper.

Is Kribensis the same as Pelvicachromis?

Technically, the original Kribensis was a single species ­—Pelvicachromis taeniatus — which was originally misdescribed as Pelmatochromis kribensis (which also managed to gobble up what is now Pelvicachromis pulcher in the confusion) and later revised.

Can you breed Kribensis?

One thing that everyone needs to have a stab at is breeding Kribensis. Few fish display such a vibrant spawning dress, and it is rare for a pair to be so aggressive that either partner is wounded.

How can you tell a male from a female Kribensis?

Male Kribensis The male Kribs are larger than the female Kribensis. They also have pointed tails as well as dorsal fins. The presence of ocelli or eyespot in the caudal and dorsal fins is also a fairly accurate way of distinguishing the male Kribensis from the female.

Is this fish a Pelvicachromis?

This fish is listed as Pelvicachromis sp. aff. pulcher in African Cichlids I: Cichlids of West Africa, by Linke and Staeck. This designation means that the fish is undescribed, but is clearly a Pelvicachromis species similar to P. pulcher.

What is the difference between Kribensis and Pelvicachromis pulcher?

But, just to really confuse things, many aquarists choose to use ‘Kribensis’ as a colloquial catchall to refer to any of the seven species of Pelvicachromis. For the majority, P. pulcher is the ‘standard’ Krib and I use that association here.

What is the ratio of Kribs in the river?

Changing sizes of Kribs are found at different points of rivers. The shallowest regions are home to the smallest as well as large numbers of females. Where in most areas a one male to one female ratio is maintained, in shallow regions this tilts hugely in favour of females and 1:2 is the norm.

What is a Pelvicachromis pulcher?

The genus Pelvicachromis contains a number of other species in addition to the famous P. pulcher. Sometimes you will find them under their correct names in fish stores and on price lists, but encountering them under erroneous labels is (unfortunately) also quite possible.

How to breed Pelvicachromis Fry?

But as discussed in Part 1, the sex ratio of Pelvicachromis fry is pH dependent, so breeding of wild kribs is best done in slightly acidic water. Breeding and husbandry of the wild kribs is much the same as for the commercially raised P. pulche r described last month.

What do Pelvicachromis eat?

Feeding should be of a varied diet with the emphasis on small crustaceans and insect larvae, if possible. The various species of the genus Pelvicachromis can be found in the coastal tropics of West Africa, ranging from Sierra Leone in the west, east to Cameroon, where the African coastline makes a right angle turn, south toward the Congo.

What is a Pelvicachromis?

Pelvicachromis is a genus of small (5.5–12.5 cm or 2.2–4.9 in), brightly coloured cichlids from tropical West Africa and Central Africa. They typically inhabit soft, acidic water ( pH 5.6 – 6.9). All species form monogamous pairs and use caves as spawning sites. Most are easily spawned in captivity with adequate water quality.

How many eggs does a Pelvicachromis lay?

Pelvicachromis are cave-spawners and will lay their eggs in any cave-like structure such as a clay pot, PVC pipe, coconut shell, etc. The female will initiate the spawning, often displaying or vibrating in front of the male. The female will deposit 50–300 eggs in the cave and the pair will guard the eggs.

What are Kribensis cichlids?

Kribensis were first introduced into the hobby in the 1950s and, although they are an African cichlid, they are different from the African rift lake cichlids in that they originate in the rivers of Nigeria. As river fish, their habitat and water requirements are more similar to those of the New World cichlids than to other Africans.

Are Kribensis found in brackish waters?

There’s a myth that to this day keeps doing the rounds, unsupported by sound referencing, that Kribensis are found in brackish waters.

How do I get my Kribs to breed?

It is common for kribs to start courting within a week of being introduced to the tank, and any coaxing from the aquarist is usually superfluous. If your couple seems reluctant to breed, increase the water temperature to 80°F (27°C) and provide several suitable caves for them to explore.

What kind of fish is a Pulcher?

Pelvicachromis pulcher is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family, endemic to Nigeria and Cameroon. The species is popular amongst aquarium hobbyists, and is most commonly sold under the name kribensis, although the species has other common names, including various derivatives and color morphs…

Is there such a thing as an albino Pulcher?

Like many albino animals red and yellow pigments are retained, however, albino P. pulcher also show patches of melanin in the dorsal and caudal fin around the ocelli. Langhammer (1982) reports that matings from these albino forms with red and yellow pigments produce 25% wild coloured offspring and 75% albino fry.

What is the difference between male and female Pelvicachromis?

Like other Pelvicachromis species, P. pulcher is sexually dimorphic. Males have pointed pelvic, dorsal, and anal fins, while the female’s pelvic, dorsal, and anal fins are more rounded in appearance. In addition, males are larger, lack the gold sheen to the dorsal fin and have a more elongated, spade-shaped caudal fin.

What is the scientific name of Pulcher?

Pelvicachromis pulcher is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family, endemic to Nigeria and Cameroon.

What is Pelvicachromis?

The cichlid genus Pelvicachromis is one of the most popular groups of fish in the aquarium hobby. The common krib P. pulcher has been established in aquariums since the 1960s.

What is the genus name of this cichlid?

Pelvicachromis is a genus of small (5.5–12.5 cm or 2.2–4.9 in), brightly coloured cichlids from tropical West Africa and Central Africa.

What do Pelmatochromis pulcher eat?

It’s easy to feed Pelmatochromis pulcher since they are omnivorous and they eat all types of feed: live, frozen and artificial ones. But still it’s better to feed with various foods, since it’s good for the fish health and coloring.