Striped Kribensis
Pelvicachromis taeniatus
Cichlidae
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 (82)
Possible with care (100)
Avoid (89)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
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.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Striped Kribensis need?
- A Striped 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 Striped Kribensis need?
- Striped Kribensis does best at 22–28 °C (71.6–82.4 °F), pH 5.5–7.5 and a general hardness of 5–15 °dGH.
- Is the Striped Kribensis suitable for beginners?
- Striped Kribensis sits in the middle of the difficulty scale — manageable for a careful beginner who has done the reading, but it has specific needs worth researching first.