Tankwise

A colourful dwarf cichlid that pairs up and breeds readily. Territorial when spawning.

  • Temperature24–27 °C
  • pH6–7.5
  • Minimum tank70 L
  • DifficultyIntermediate
FoodCichlid pellet + frozen bloodworm
FeedingOnce or twice a day
Water change25% weekly

Behaviour and habits

The kribensis is a colourful, characterful dwarf cichlid from West Africa that pairs up and breeds readily. A bonded pair claims a cave and defends it hard, especially with fry, and can bully timid tankmates, so it is peaceful only in a well-chosen setup. It sifts the substrate, digs and explores, and it is a hardy, lively fish that rewards a tank planned around it with caves and space.

What to feed, and how often

It leans on protein: a quality cichlid pellet plus frozen bloodworm, brineshrimp and mysis. Feed once or twice a day, and give breeding pairs a little extra live or frozen food, which fuels their brood care and keeps their colour strong.

Water changes and maintenance

Change about 25% weekly, with caves and a filter rinsed in tank water. It is fairly hardy but appreciates clean, stable water to stay in spawning condition.

Care and how easy it is

Easy for a cichlid, but a pair needs space, caves and a tank chosen around them rather than a busy community.

Lifespan

With good conditions and steady water quality, this species typically lives around 5–8 years in a home aquarium; some individuals live longer.

Common health problems

Like other cichlids it is prone to fin rot, and wild-type stock may carry internal parasites.

If it gets sick

For a dull, cloudy body, quarantine and treat rather than guessing; improve the water first and observe for a few days.

Good tank mates

CorydorasBeginner
CorydorasCorydoras paleatus
  • 20–26°C
  • pH 6–7.8
  • 60 L+
Catfish · Peaceful · Omnivore
Harlequin rasboraBeginner
Harlequin rasboraTrigonostigma heteromorpha
  • 22–27°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 60 L+
Tetras & rasboras · Peaceful · Omnivore
GuppyBeginner with population planning
GuppyPoecilia reticulata
  • 22-26 C
  • pH 7.0-8.5
  • 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
Livebearers | Social; males pursue females | Omnivore

Best avoided with

Similar species

AngelfishIntermediate; adult territory planning
AngelfishPterophyllum scalare
  • 24-28 C
  • pH 6.0-7.4
  • 200 L+ nominal; 100 x 40 x 50 cm; conditional pair-only plan
Cichlids | Territorial when pairing | Omnivore
Ram cichlidAdvanced
Ram cichlidMikrogeophagus ramirezi
  • 25–29°C
  • pH 5–7
  • 70 L+
Cichlids · Peaceful · Omnivore
Cockatoo cichlidIntermediate
Cockatoo cichlidApistogramma cacatuoides
  • 24–28°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 60 L+
Cichlids · Semi-aggressive · Carnivore

Compare at a glance

ParametersKribensisAngelfishRam cichlidCockatoo cichlid
Parameters
Temp24–27 °C24–28 °C25–29 °C24–28 °C
pH6–7.56–7.55–76–7.5
GH5–15 °dGH2–12 °dGH1–10 °dGH2–12 °dGH
Min. tank70 L100 L70 L60 L
Size8 cm15 cm6 cm6 cm
DietOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivoreCarnivore
TemperamentSemi-aggressiveSemi-aggressivePeacefulSemi-aggressive
DifficultyIntermediateIntermediateAdvancedIntermediate

Care guides

GuideHow Often Should You Feed Fish?Overfeeding causes more aquarium problems than underfeeding. Here is a realistic feeding routine, and the signs that you are giving too much.GuideHow Often Should You Change Aquarium Water?Water changes remove waste that the filter cannot, and keep minerals topped up. There is no single number, but there is a simple way to find yours.GuideHow to Treat Ich (White Spot Disease)Ich looks alarming but is one of the most treatable fish diseases. Act early, raise the heat, and it clears within a week or two — here is how.GuideFishless Cycling: The Kindest Way to Start a TankFishless cycling builds the filter's bacteria before any fish goes in, so your first fish never lives through toxic water. Here is how to do it.

New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.

Sources and research notes

Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.