Pelvikiromis Pulcher

The colorful and well-liked freshwater fish Pelvichromis pulcher, also referred to as the Kribensis or just the "Krib," has won over the hearts of many aquarium enthusiasts. It’s understandable why this little cichlid has become a mainstay in the hobby with its eye-catching colors and comparatively simple care needs.

Pelvichromis pulcher, which originated in the rivers of West Africa, is a flexible option suitable for novice and expert fish keepers alike, as it adapts well to a wide range of aquarium configurations. With a variety of tank companions, its calm disposition—especially in comparison to other cichlids—allows for harmonious coexistence.

In addition to its eye-catching appearance, the Kribensis is renowned for its unusual breeding habits. Maintaining a pair of these fish in your aquarium is made even more enjoyable by witnessing them court and tend to their fry. The Kribensis offers something special for every aquarist, whether you’re looking to add a splash of color or delve deeper into the fascinating world of cichlid behavior.

The colorful and resilient Pelvichromis Pulcher, also referred to as the Kribensis or Krib, is a cichlid that adds character and color to freshwater aquariums. These fish are a fantastic option for both novice and expert aquarists wishing to add a dash of beauty and intrigue to their tanks because of their calm temperament, ease of care, and intriguing breeding behavior.

Any aquarium would benefit from the vibrant and lively addition of Pelvicachromis pulcher, which gives the tank character and beauty. Aquarists love these fish for their vivid colors and interesting behaviors, especially for those who like watching fish that actively engage with their surroundings.

As long as their basic needs are met, taking care of these fish is not too difficult. Their best colors will come out in a well-kept tank with clean water, suitable tank mates, and a balanced diet.

Pelvicachromis pulcher is a great option if you’re looking to add a fish that’s not only beautiful, but also captivating to watch. For many years to come, your aquarium will be alive with color and life thanks to their vibrant appearance and dynamic behavior.

Characteristics	Description
Common Name	Pelvikiromis Pulcher (Kribensis)
Size	Up to 4 inches (10 cm)
Temperament	Peaceful, good for community tanks
Water Conditions	pH 6.0-7.5, temperature 75-82°F (24-28°C)
Diet	Omnivorous, enjoys a mix of plant and animal matter
Breeding	Easy to breed, forms pairs and cares for fry
Tank Setup	Needs hiding spots like caves, prefers planted tanks

Habitat and habitat

Africa includes East Benin, Western Cameroon, and the southeast portion of Nigeria.

Habitat in shallow water reservoirs with stagnant or slowly moving water. prefers to grow in regions with dense vegetation near bodies of water that are scattered with open space. Certain populations live in brackish environments.

Description

The unusual shape of the head—which has a small mouth, a sloping forehead, and a slight curvature down the front—led to the naming of the bird "parrot." Black pupil in bluish eyes.

The color of both males and females is exquisite. Males have casting blue sides, a reddish stomach, and a brown back. Gray spinal fin, brilliantly framed by a dark spot occasionally. The pectoral fins are transparent, while the anal and ventral fins are blue. The caudal fin has a diamond-like form, with a reddish top and a silvery bottom.

The female has a larger body size, a visually shorter caudal fin, and a golden border with multiple dark spots on the dorsal surface. It has a reddish-violet abdomen. The covers of the gills are shiny purple.

The albino variety is also very well-liked.

Adolescents have a gray color with a dark longitudinal stripe, making them less attractive.

Size:

Men’s maximum standard length is 10 cm, and women’s is 7.5 cm.

Behavior and compatibility

They can be kept with any fish that is similar in size and kept under similar conditions because they are quite calm, save from the time during spawning.

Suggested for a community aquarium, however be aware that the fish become extremely territorial when they spawn. Avoid keeping with large or highly active species. Fish that make excellent neighbors include gourami, loricaria, danios, corydoras, barbs, rasboras, and small characins. Can be housed with other small African cichlids, but enough room needs to be left for it to establish a territory.

Aquarium

An aquarium of 50 liters is ideal for a pair of fish, and larger ones starting at 150 liters will accommodate a group of these fish comfortably.

Children stay in schools, but as they get older, they form pairs and take up specific areas. Since stones and driftwood act as the chosen location’s natural borders, the aquarium must have an adequate supply of these materials to conditionally divide the area into zones.

Since the fish don’t care about the plants at all, they can be kept in any kind of aquarium, though it’s best to avoid using plants that need a lot of light. Strong lighting causes parrots to fade and become uneasy.

When breeding, fish dig holes in the substrate; sand or fine gravel works well.

Water parameters:

Temperature range: 24–27°C pH range: 5.0 to 7.5 Hardness: 12° dGH and higher

Filtration with aeration and water changes are required. The fish’s color will be even more vibrant if the water is filtered through peat.

Feeding

In the wild, it consumes plant debris and the creatures that cling to it, such as worms, insect larvae, and tiny crustaceans.

It will take premium dry food in an aquarium, such as flakes, granules, chips, and tablets. A varied diet that includes frequent feedings of both live and frozen food is essential. Fish spawning is stimulated by cyclops and daphnia. Their wellbeing will be improved by feeding them vegetables.

Sexual dimorphism

Males have pointed anal, caudal, and dorsal fins and are larger than females. In the pre-spawning state, females’ bellies take on a distinctive purple hue and round out.

9 to 12 months is when sexual maturity occurs.

Breeding

The best method to obtain a monogamous pair of fish is to purchase a group of six or more juvenile fish and rear them, allowing pairs to form on their own. Purchasing a determined male and female does not ensure that the resulting pair will get along.

Since fish are meant to live in pairs, it is undesirable to separate them.

Able to procreate in a standard aquarium. Their coloring becomes even more vibrant during this time. Regular water changes and raising the temperature to 28 °C can encourage sprouting. The best place for them to spawn is in a clay pot, where the female can deposit up to 300 small, reddish-brown eggs, each measuring about 2 mm.

The offspring are protected by both producers, or less frequently just the female, for up to four days during the incubation period.

The fry can now be fed rotifers, brine shrimp nauplii, and microworms once they can swim on their own, which usually takes about a week.

Occasionally, people—mostly young couples—eat the eggs. In this instance, the substrate containing the eggs is put in a different container with strong aeration and a sponge filter.

The fry have a dotted pattern in the first month of life, which makes them nearly invisible on the bottom; however, by the second month, prominent black stripes are clearly visible.

Their coloring starts to change and adult habits start to show around 4 months of age.

Characteristics	Description
Common Name	Pelvikiromis Pulcher (Kribensis)
Size	Up to 4 inches (10 cm)
Temperament	Peaceful, good for community tanks
Water Conditions	pH 6.0-7.5, temperature 75-82°F (24-28°C)
Diet	Omnivorous, enjoys a mix of plant and animal matter
Breeding	Easy to breed, forms pairs and cares for fry
Tank Setup	Needs hiding spots like caves, prefers planted tanks

Any aquarium would benefit from the vibrant and lively addition of Pelvicachromis pulcher, which gives the tank character and beauty. Aquarists love these fish for their vivid colors and interesting behaviors, especially for those who like watching fish that actively engage with their surroundings.

As long as their basic needs are met, taking care of these fish is not too difficult. Their best colors will come out in a well-kept tank with clean water, suitable tank mates, and a balanced diet.

Pelvicachromis pulcher is a great option if you’re looking to add a fish that’s not only beautiful, but also captivating to watch. For many years to come, your aquarium will be alive with color and life thanks to their vibrant appearance and dynamic behavior.

Video on the topic

Spawning Pelvicachromis pulcher/Spawning Pelvicachromis pulcher

Pelvicachromis pulcher parrots

Pelvicachromis pulcher / Parrot (Pelvicachromis pulcher).

Pelvicachromis pulcher (Pelvicachromis pulcher)

PELVICACHROMIS PULCHER OR PARROT | ADULT PAIR WITH FRY (Pelvicachromis pulcher)