Kribensis

The kribensis is recognized by the dark stripe running along its yellowish–gray body, the yellow edge on its dorsal fin and its eyespots; the females, by their bright cherry-purple bellies during breeding. It is one of the hardiest dwarf cichlids and breeds readily in the aquarium.

It lives on the coastal plains of West Africa, in the slow-flowing, planted, soft-water channels of the Niger delta; some populations live in brackish water.

• Volume: at least 80 liters for a pair.
• Cave: an upturned flowerpot, coconut shell or stone cave is essential; the pair breed here.
• Substrate: fine sand; kribensis love to dig and enlarge the space under the cave.
• Water: 24–27°C; soft to moderately hard. pH can affect the sex ratio of the fry.

Omnivorous. Sinking granules and tablets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia; vegetables now and then. It feeds from the bottom.

Peaceful most of the time; during breeding it fiercely defends the area around its cave and chases bottom dwellers. It eats fry and shrimp.

Good companions: schooling fish that swim in the middle layer (tetras, rasboras, danios), bristlenose plecos (with enough caves).

Avoid: bottom dwellers such as corydoras and kuhli loaches (they get chased during breeding), shrimp, other dwarf cichlid pairs (in a small aquarium), large aggressive cichlids.

The kribensis is kept as a pair; the male and female set up a territory together and raise the fry together. To get a pair, buy several juveniles and wait for them to pair off, or buy a bonded pair. One pair per aquarium; in 200 liters or more, with two separate cave areas, a second pair.

The female curves her body to show off her purple belly and invite the male into the cave. The eggs are laid on the ceiling of the cave; the female stays in the cave while the male guards the outside. Once the fry start swimming, the parents lead them around as a school. The fry are fed newly hatched brine shrimp.

Hardy. Bacterial infections can occur with poor water and a monotonous diet.

Males are larger, with long, pointed dorsal and anal fins, and may have eyespots on the tail. Females are smaller and rounder; their bellies are a distinct cherry-purple, their dorsal fins are edged in gold and usually carry an eyespot.