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Contents
Overview
The kribensis, or krib, is the most popular African dwarf cichlid. It comes from rivers and coastal areas of Nigeria and Cameroon, where it lives in calm, vegetated waters that range from soft to moderately hard.
Males reach about 3.5-4 inches (9-10 cm) and are longer, with pointed fins; the smaller, rounder females show a striking purple-red belly, especially when they are ready to spawn. Besides the normal form, albino strains are common. Kribs are hardy, curious and full of behavior, and watching a pair raise fry in a community tank is one of the best experiences a beginner can have.
Care and tank setup
A pair needs at least 20 gallons long (80 L) with a 30-inch (80 cm) footprint and plenty of floor space. Kribs are cave dwellers, so offer several options (coconut shells, small pots on their side, stone piles) and let them choose.
- Water: very adaptable, soft to moderately hard and slightly acidic to neutral. Clean, stable water is what matters.
- Substrate: sand or fine gravel. They dig a lot, especially under caves, so anchor plants with stones or use epiphytes like anubias and Java fern.
- Tank mates: midwater and top fish of similar or slightly larger size: calm barbs, danios, medium tetras.
Outside breeding they are fairly peaceful, but with fry they defend their turf hard and may harass corydoras and other bottom dwellers. They eat shrimp. Avoid small, crowded tanks, where a breeding pair ends up owning the whole floor.
Feeding
Kribs are omnivores that eat almost anything. Use sinking pellets and quality flakes as the staple and add frozen or live food: brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia and mysis. Some plant matter, such as spirulina wafers, is welcome.
They feed mostly near the bottom, so make sure food gets there. Two small meals a day.
Breeding
Kribs breed very easily. Often the female courts the male by flaunting her belly. The pair lays 100 to 300 eggs on a cave ceiling; the female tends them inside while the male guards outside.
A few days later a cloud of fry emerges, escorted by both parents, and they take baby brine shrimp right away. Water pH influences the sex ratio of the brood.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Kribensis. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Betta fish Betta splendens 7 gal (25 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Platy Xiphophorus maculatus 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Harlequin rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha 16 gal (60 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii 32 gal (120 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare 53 gal (200 L) · 75–84 °F (24–29 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Kribensis, and why.
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
- Celestial pearl danio: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
- Ember tetra: one may eat the other due to size
- Amano shrimp: eats shrimp
- Cherry shrimp: eats shrimp
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Kribensis healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Kribensis need?
At least about 80 liters for a group of at least 2 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Kribensis need?
Between 24 and 28 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Kribensis?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Cherry barb, Tiger barb, Betta fish, Guppy and Platy. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Kribensis be kept with shrimp?
Not recommended: because of its size or instinct, it will eat shrimp.
