The Pelmatochromis pulcher, also called the Dwarf Cichlid or Kribensis, is a wonderful little fish for novice aquarists and one of the few cichlids that can be kept in a community tank.

This attractive species is yellowish in color with 2 dark horizontal stripes running across the top half of its body and a prominent red splotch on its belly; its fins often contain bright shades of blue, purple, yellow, orange and red.

An albino strain of the Kribensis has also been bred in captivity and it, too, is a very handsome fish. Males are usually larger, growing up to 4 inches, and have longer, pointed fins while females remain smaller and have more rounded fins.

Kribensis originally came from the forested rivers of West Africa in brackish water in southern Nigeria. However, most specimens for sale today have been tank bred and raised.

These hardy fish do well in the home aquarium if provided with plenty of hiding spaces among rocks and stones, as well as tough plants and vegetation and a fine gravel or sandy bottom. A minimum size tank of 20 gallons with a good filtration system, along with regular water changes, should be adequate to maintain a group of healthy fishes.

The temperature in the aquarium should be kept between 76-82 F with a pH of 6.5-7.5.

Kribensis should be fed a varied diet of both meaty and vegetable matter such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, spirulina flakes, as well as specially formulated cichlid pellets. These fishes are territorial, so provide enough space and shelters for each to establish its own territory. Kribensis usually get along well with most fishes but should not be kept with any slow moving, delicate species or with large or aggressive fishes.

Kribensis will readily breed in most aquarium settings. It is best to begin by obtaining a group of juveniles and raising them together. Once they have reached sexual maturity they will pair off. The pairs should then be placed in their own breeding tank. During courtship, their colors will become especially vivid and intense.

The mating pair will usually spawn in a cave and both parents will guard the eggs, which can number up to 300! The fry should be free swimming in about a week or so and can be fed newly hatched brine shrimp as well as finely ground flake foods.

By Federico Soriano