AquaSage
Species library

Striped Kribensis

Pelvicachromis taeniatus

Cichlidae

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

About

The striped kribensis is a small, brilliantly coloured West African dwarf cichlid from coastal freshwater streams of Nigeria and Cameroon. Males show a bright yellow upper lip and boldly outlined scales, while ripe females flush a vivid cherry-red belly. Peaceful and rather shy in a community, it forms devoted monogamous pairs that spawn in caves and guard their fry together, turning territorial only around the nest.

Care

Keep as a bonded pair in a soft, warm, well-planted tank of 75 L or more over sand, with several caves for spawning. Peaceful with small mid-water fish but territorial toward bottom-dwellers when breeding.

Diet

Omnivore leaning on small invertebrates and vegetable matter; feed a varied diet of quality dry food with plant content plus frozen daphnia and brine shrimp. Avoid excess bloodworm and tubifex.

Tankmate compatibility

Gets along with (28)

Possible with care (70)

Avoid (23)

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

Sources