kribensis – Pelvicachromis pulcher
Species name: Pelvicachromis pulcher
Common names: kribensis, Krib, Rainbow krib
Family: Cichlidae
Subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Maximum length: 4.9 in. (male), 3.2 in. (female)
Minimum tank size: 25 gallon
Hardiness: Easy
Aggressiveness: Generally peaceful. They like to live as pairs and will defend a territory.
Distribution: Africa: Southeastern Nigeria and the coastal zone of southern Cameroon.
Diet: Omnivore. Despite the suggestion in some aquarium literature that the species feeds on worms, crustaceans and insects,[10] analysis of the stomach contents of wild P. pulcher suggests this is incorrect. A study by Nwadiaro (1985)[5] of 161 individuals showed that the main food items were diatoms, green algae, pieces of higher plants along with blue-green algae. Invertebrates, though consumed, were found to be relatively uncommon food items for wild fish.
In captivity, they will accept almost any live, frozen food and flake food.
Additional information:
Pelvicachromis pulcher, also known as kribensis, Krib or Rainbow krib is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family, endemic to Nigeria and Cameroon. The species inhabits both slow and fast-moving water, though it is only found where patches of dense vegetation are available. These waters can vary greatly from soft to hard and from fresh to brackish. Because of the waters they come from, it has often been published that they do better with a bit of salt in the water. While it is true that all fish do better with a little bit of salt in the water, it is strongly recommended that you do not make the water brackish for the Krib.
Females are rounder with shorter fins and males are of a long oval shape with extended fins whilst. Both sexes have a dark longitudinal stripe that runs from the caudal fin to the mouth and pink to red abdomens. The intensity of the colors changes during courtship and breeding. The dorsal and caudal fins also may bear gold-ringed eye spots or ocelli.
Ideally, the aquarium should mimic the natural environment, and should be decorated with numerous caves, plants and hiding places. Fine gravel should be used as a substrate, as it likes to burrow and to excavate caves. Although tolerant of a range of water chemistries, the species has a preference for, and is more likely to breed when, maintained in soft, acidic water.
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Article written by www.aquariumslife.com
References: Wikipedia, FishBase, Aquariumlife.net
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