
Kribensis
Pelvicachromis pulcher
West Africa's mild cichlid, quietly working and digging under the decor.
The Kribensis (Pelvicachromis pulcher) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. It lives on the bottom. Adults grow to about 10 cm; the largest on record measured 11 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 60 cm long and water at 24–28 °C.
- Size
- 10 cm
- Smallest tank
- 60 cm
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
- Care
- Easy
In the aquarium
Temperature24–28 °C
pH6.0–7.5
Hardness2–12 °dGH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Activity
- Moderate
- Water layer
- Bottom
- Group
- Lives on its own
- Plants
- Plant safe
These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.
Which tank it fits
- Nano60 cm · 65 litres7 of them
- Standard90 cm · 180 litres20 of them
- Wide120 cm · 300 litres33 of them
- Living room180 cm · 650 litres72 of them
- Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres133 of them
- Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres160 of them
Who it lives with
Gets along66 species
- Boesemani rainbowfish
- Scissortail rasbora
- Sailfin molly
- Congo tetra
- Swordtail
- Molly
- Dwarf gourami
- Bristlenose pleco
- Bronze corydoras
- Diamond tetra
- Silver hatchetfish
- Dwarf chain loach
- Emperor tetra
- Cherry barb
- Freshwater angelfish
- Cardinal tetra
- Lemon tetra
- Penguin tetra
- Harlequin rasbora
- Black neon tetra
- Serpae tetra
- Glowlight tetra
- Guppy
- Green neon tetra
Caution20 species
Not together13 species
Water temperatures do not overlap
In the wild
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Climate zone
- Tropical
- Habitat
- On the bottom
- Largest on record
- 11 cmtotal length
Conservation status
Classification
- OrderCichliformes
- FamilyCichlidae
- GenusPelvicachromis
- SpeciesPelvicachromis pulcher
- Described byBoulenger, 1901
In other languages
- English
- Rainbow Krib
- German
- Purpurprachtbarsch
- Russian
- Пёстрый попугайчик
Quick answers
- Kribensis size: how big does it get?
- Adults reach about 10 cm. The largest on record measured 11 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 4 Pelvicachromis species on LumaReef: 5.3 cm (Eye-spot Cichlid) to 12.5 cm (Yellow Kribensis).
- Kribensis tank size: what is the minimum?
- A tank at least 60 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.
- Kribensis water parameters: what does it need?
- Temperature 24–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, hardness 2–12 °dGH. Warmer than most Pelvicachromis on LumaReef (22–26 °C).
- Kribensis tank mates: what can it live with?
- It gets along with 66 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Boesemani rainbowfish, Scissortail rasbora, and Sailfin molly.
- Kribensis: alone or in a group?
- It can be kept on its own.
- Kribensis and plants: is it plant safe?
- Yes, it leaves plants alone.
Similar species
Sources
Kribensis: compiled from these references.









