Kribensis

The Kribensis is a colourful and popular dwarf cichlid known for its vibrant markings, manageable size, and fascinating breeding behaviour. Adults can display beautiful purple, red, yellow, and gold tones, with females often developing a particularly striking pink to purple belly when mature or ready to breed.

Kribensis are generally peaceful compared with many larger cichlids, making them suitable for carefully selected tropical community aquariums. However, they can become strongly territorial when breeding and will actively defend their cave, eggs, and fry.

Common Name: Kribensis / Krib

Scientific Name: Pelvicachromis pulcher

Family: Cichlidae

Adult Size: Approximately 8–10 cm

Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive

Care Level: Easy to moderate

Minimum Tank Size: Approximately 75 litres+

Temperature: Approximately 24–28°C

pH: Approximately 6.0–7.5

Diet: Omnivorous

Aquarium Level: Bottom to middle

Breeding: Cave-spawning cichlid

Lifespan: Approximately 5–8 years with appropriate care

Feeding

Kribensis are enthusiastic feeders and should be provided with a varied diet. Quality tropical or small cichlid pellets can form the staple diet, supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and other appropriately sized foods.

Vegetable-based foods can also be included as part of a balanced diet. Feeding a varied, high-quality diet helps maintain healthy growth, breeding condition, and vibrant natural colouration.

Aquarium Care

Provide a well-structured aquarium with plenty of caves and hiding areas using rocks, driftwood, plants, terracotta pots, or dedicated breeding caves. A sandy or fine-gravel substrate is ideal, as Kribensis naturally spend time exploring and digging around the bottom of the aquarium.

Live plants can be used to create visual barriers and additional shelter while leaving open areas for swimming. Good filtration, stable water parameters, and regular partial water changes will help maintain excellent health.

Kribensis can be kept with many peaceful to moderately active community fish, but tank mates should be selected carefully. Avoid very small, timid, or slow-moving bottom dwellers that may be harassed when a pair begins breeding.

Breeding Behaviour

Kribensis are well known for breeding readily in home aquariums. A bonded pair will usually select a cave or sheltered area where the female lays her eggs.

Both parents may actively protect the breeding territory and later guide their fry around the aquarium. During this period, even normally peaceful Kribensis can become highly territorial, so sufficient aquarium space and hiding areas are important.

Shipping

• Australia-wide shipping available where permitted
• Fish are carefully packed for safe transport
• Local pickup available by appointment from Fins 'N' Feathers
• Shipping availability may depend on destination, weather conditions, fish size, and applicable biosecurity restrictions

Live Arrival

Please inspect livestock immediately upon arrival. If there is an issue with your order, contact us as soon as possible in accordance with our live arrival policy and provide clear photos of the fish in its unopened transport bag where applicable.

Actual size, colour intensity, pattern, and appearance may vary between individual fish due to age, sex, genetics, breeding condition, stress, and environmental conditions.