Common name: Kribensis.
scientific name: Pelvicachromis pulcher.
Family: cichildae.
Distribution: tropical West Africa, The Niger Delta.
Food: All small live foods and dried flake food also readily accepted.
shape: General profile of a dwarf Cichlid with an elongated body and arched dorsal profile. There are many different colour forms of this fish, the most common being similar to the fish In the above picture. The male of the species has a greyish base colour with a blurred yellow stripe running from the eye through to the caudal peduncle above the lateral line. The belly of the fish is a deep red, especially prominent when in breeding condition. The dorsal fin is fringed with yellow and orange and sometimes has several black spots towards the rear. The top half of the caudal fin Is also yellow with black spots.
Male: Up to 3.5 Inches (9 cm). Female: Up to 2.75 Inches (7 cm).
Sexual Differences. The female is smaller, fuller in the belly and even more brightly coloured than the male. The yellow markings are not so prominent and the caudal fin usually lacks the black spots.
Eggs are laid inside caves such as flower pots etc. Both partners look after the eggs which usually range between 140 to 180. Young hatch after 2 - 3 days and become tree swimming at 4 - 5 days when they should be fed on a suitable fry food for egglayers and newly hatched brine shrimp.
Temperature: 72 - 82F (25 - 280). pH: Not critical. Neutral to slightly acid in preference. Although a sexual bias may be observed when bred at diferent pH readings. 1 - 2 teaspoons of sea salt per gallon of aquarium water may also be of benefit. This fish prefers a large well planted tank with low to medium lighting and a dark bottom with plenty of cover, i.e. caves, flowerpots etc.
Behaviour. The Young live in schools, Mature fish can be very territorial in pairs, especially when breeding. Best kept with other similar sized fast swimming fish, such as platies, swordtails large tetras etc.
Other information. The fact that it is so easy to obtain this fish has led to a degree of vulgarisation and has created the need to use a common name In some countries. For example, In France, it is known as the 'Pelmato' a shortening of the old generic name, Pelmatochromis. This creates all sorts of problems among aquarists regarding its scientific denomination twenty years after the revision by Thys van den Audenaerde which placed this species in the genus Pelvicachromis. To add to the problems posed by the different names for this fish, Pelvicachromis pulcher has frequently been referred to as Pelmatochromis kribensis, which is the old name for Pelvicachromis taeniatus Kienke (which has recently been returned by Paul Loiselle to full specific status). Martin Kelly.