Kribensis
A colorful, hardy dwarf cichlid that is great for planted community tanks. Kribensis can become territorial when breeding, especially around caves.
tankSize
75L (20 gal) minimum
careLevel
Beginner to Intermediate
temperature
24 to 27C
temperament
Semi-aggressive
diet
Pellets, flakes, and frozen foods
lifespan
4 to 6 years
aloneOrCommunity
Community (with cave territory)
weeklyMaintenance
Water changes and cave area cleanup
Best for
- Owners who want a hardy dwarf cichlid
- Planted community tanks with caves
- People who enjoy fish with strong parenting behaviors
- Tanks with peaceful, mid-sized companions
Not ideal for
- Very small tanks with limited territory space
- Aggressive cichlid setups
- Tanks with very timid fish that may be bullied
- Owners who do not want breeding behavior
Temperament
- Generally manageable but territorial around a chosen cave
- Pairs may defend fry aggressively
- Does best with enough space and visual barriers
Daily routine
feeding: Feed once or twice daily; vary foods for health and color.
check: Watch cave territory behavior and tank mate stress.
enrichment: Multiple caves and plant cover reduce conflict.
Living fit
smallHome: Works in a medium tank with thoughtful layout.
kids: Very engaging to watch, especially if they breed.
firstTimeOwner: Good if you understand territory and tank mate choices.
Health notes
- Hardy but still needs good water quality.
- Territorial stress can cause injuries in cramped tanks.
- Quarantine new fish to reduce disease introduction.
Cost and time
time: Low daily time; standard weekly maintenance.
cost: Moderate setup cost; caves and plants recommended.
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