What tank size does a Kribensis need?

A Kribensis needs an aquarium of at least 75 litres (19.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.

What water parameters does a Kribensis need?

Kribensis does best at 24–28 °C (75.2–82.4 °F), pH 5.5–7.5 and a general hardness of 5–20 °dGH.

Is the Kribensis suitable for beginners?

Yes — Kribensis is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Species library

Kribensis

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Cichlidae

FishDifficulty: ●●○○○Data: well-established

📷 André Karwath aka Aka · CC BY-SA 2.5 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

Kribensis — Pelvicachromis pulcher — 📷 André Karwath aka Aka · CC BY-SA 2.5 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

About

Kribensis is a small, hardy West African dwarf cichlid famous for its blushing cherry-red belly, which glows brightest on courting females. Native to the Niger Delta, it inhabits soft to hard fresh and even slightly brackish waters, making it very adaptable. A cave-spawning pair-bonder, it is a wonderful beginner cichlid, peaceful in a community outside of breeding but fiercely protective of fry once it spawns.

Care

Keep as a bonded pair with caves in a tank of 75 L or more. Tolerates a wide range of hardness and pH; becomes territorial around its cave when breeding, so give tankmates space.

Diet

Easy-going omnivore; feed pellets, flakes and frozen foods with occasional vegetable matter. Sifts the substrate for morsels.

Tankmate compatibility

Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.

Full tank-mates guide with reasons →

Telling males from females

What works for this species, most reliable first.

Extended finsStrong · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
VentingA hint only · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.

All the methods, with diagrams

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Frequently asked questions

What tank size does a Kribensis need?: A Kribensis needs an aquarium of at least 75 litres (19.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
What water parameters does a Kribensis need?: Kribensis does best at 24–28 °C (75.2–82.4 °F), pH 5.5–7.5 and a general hardness of 5–20 °dGH.
Is the Kribensis suitable for beginners?: Yes — Kribensis is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Sources

Water & tank

Temperature24–28°C

Optimal temp.25–27°C

pH5.5–7.5

Hardness (GH)5–20°d

Carbonate (KH)2–12°d

Adult size10 cm

Min. volume≥ 75 L

Min. tank length≥ 60 cm

Swimming zoneBottom

TemperamentPeaceful

Water typeFreshwater

FlowLow

Lifespan~5 yrs

Try in the calculator