Pelvicachromis humilis

Pelvicachromis humilis lives in the oxygen-rich, slow-flowing rivers and streams of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia and is the largest species of its genus. Males are in brown-beige tones, with vertical bars that appear and disappear depending on mood and reddish fins. Females are more colorful: they have a silvery-gray body, a pink belly that deepens as they mature and a bright silvery-blue color on the upper half of the tail. It has local forms such as "Kasewe", "Kenema", "Liberia Red" and "Guinea"; these should not be mixed with each other.

• At least 150 liters and 100 cm of length for a pair.
• 24–26°C; soft, slightly acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5 for breeding).
• Several caves and a bottom divided up with roots, stones and plants; good filtration and oxygenation.

Omnivorous. It feeds on sinking granules and tablets, frozen bloodworms, mysis and brine shrimp; foods with plant content should also be offered.

Hardier than its relatives, but aggressive toward its own kind; unless the tank is very large, keep a single pair. It spawns in a cave; the female tends the eggs while the male guards the territory. It does not get along well with very active or large species. It eats shrimp.

Good companions: medium-sized soft-water schooling fish (African characins, tetras), bristlenose plecos (Ancistrus).

Avoid: other Pelvicachromis pairs, large and dominant cichlids, shrimp, small bottom-dwelling fish.