Planning on getting Kribensis

[Fishkeeper123]

Hi there I have posted things in the pleco forum but want some information on kribensis. I’m planning on getting a kribensis(or maybe 2) to go with
•a Bristlenose pleco
• 2 panda garras
• 8 long finned leopard danios
And maybe will add some more fish in the future. I’m planning on getting a standard 200l(55 gallon). Would the kribensis be fine with these tank mates and is 2 a possibility and have them as a breeding pair? Would I get money/ store credit for giving the young kribensis?
Thanks for the help, sorry if you are rereading a similar post.

 

[GaryE]

Ah, kribs. I love them.
They are Pelvicachromis pulcher, which is interesting in that there is a separate species, Pelvicachromis kribensis. Someone mixed them up and crossed the names ages ago, and the mistake stuck. The 'real' kribensis is smaller and prettier, but a lot more expensive and quite rare. If you are looking up info, go with the scientific name as that old error can make things confusing.

Hobby kribs (pulcher) need at least a 30 inch tank, ideally 36 inches across the front. They don't care about gallons. The bottom of the tank is their world.

They're territorial, and can be astonishing parents. The problem for selling young is stores can't sell small fish, and it takes 3-4 months in good conditions to raise the young to selling size. They can only stay in the same tank as the parents for a month, so any ambitions to sell them mean having an aquarium dedicated to raising them. I know a local aquarist who is doing this for the local stores, but she has a 40 gallon just for raising the fry to size.

I would never keep a krib alone. They are beautiful in pairs, as social fish. Alone, they mope around and males can get grumpy.

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Ah, kribs. I love them.
They are Pelvicachromis pulcher, which is interesting in that there is a separate species, Pelvicachromis kribensis. Someone mixed them up and crossed the names ages ago, and the mistake stuck. The 'real' kribensis is smaller and prettier, but a lot more expensive and quite rare. If you are looking up info, go with the scientific name as that old error can make things confusing.

Hobby kribs (pulcher) need at least a 30 inch tank, ideally 36 inches across the front. They don't care about gallons. The bottom of the tank is their world.

They're territorial, and can be astonishing parents. The problem for selling young is stores can't sell small fish, and it takes 3-4 months in good conditions to raise the young to selling size. They can only stay in the same tank as the parents for a month, so any ambitions to sell them mean having an aquarium dedicated to raising them. I know a local aquarist who is doing this for the local stores, but she has a 40 gallon just for raising the fry to size.

I would never keep a krib alone. They are beautiful in pairs, as social fish. Alone, they mope around and males can get grumpy.

Yeah the tank size will be no problem it’s just the garras and lack of tanks. The garras can be territorial I have read but have also read they are not should they be okay with them? I like the idea of breeding them but my only tank will be my 200l and then a 75l which won’t be an actively used tank apart from quarantine when adding the kribensis and Bristlenose. Would I be able to kribensis at Maidenhead aquatics or are they too rare?

 

[Fishkeeper123]

With my tank mates and amount of tanks, do you think one kribs or a pair of kribs are better?

 

[Crazy]

With my tank mates and amount of tanks, do you think one kribs or a pair of kribs are better?

I’m no expert & just got 2 kribs recently. Have them in a four ft tank . Impulse buy but from what I have researched they r peaceful except when breeding. Mine hide most of the time, they have lots of hiding spots & plants. I have put glow light, cardinal & neon tetra with them from another tank as I have 2 Pictish catfish witch were eating them. They say to only have one pair . Don’t know what sex they r but I think they may be a male & female . Beautiful fish

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Kribs look beautiful however I went my LFS a few days ago and got a pair of Bolivian rams and a BN pleco so I think I have to rule out Kribensis’ now but they are definitely on a list of fish I want to keep in the future.

 

[anewbie]

I'd get rid ot he pleco. Pleco don't mix well with dwawrf cichild. I know you just got him but ....

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Sorry but no chance the whole reason I got the the 180l was for the pleco they are in a 75l quarantine tank and they seem to be fine and I would pick my pleco over the 2 rams. I would like some help stocking tho, with the BN, 2 Bolivian rams and 8 leopard danios. Don’t have many ideas on what would work so any ideas would be helpful?

 

[Fishkeeper123]

I'd get rid ot he pleco. Pleco don't mix well with dwawrf cichild. I know you just got him but ....

Have you had any experience with BN and Bolivian rams( I read they are the most peaceful cichlid) the only problem is the BN is a lot smaller currently so the rams are eating the algae wafers that are meant to be for my Bristlenose but he seems very happy and loving all the algae and driftwood and after losing 2 garras in 3 days getting him has made me definitely 100percent committed in the hobby. And as I convinced the rest of my family on getting a bigger tank for the bristlenose it was never an option but any advice if you think it may be a problem would be welcome.

 

[anewbie]

Have you had any experience with BN and Bolivian rams( I read they are the most peaceful cichlid) the only problem is the BN is a lot smaller currently so the rams are eating the algae wafers that are meant to be for my Bristlenose but he seems very happy and loving all the algae and driftwood and after losing 2 garras in 3 days getting him has made me definitely 100percent committed in the hobby. And as I convinced the rest of my family on getting a bigger tank for the bristlenose it was never an option but any advice if you think it may be a problem would be welcome.

The problem is that if you get a pair of rams - that implies male/female which implies they will attemp to breed. When they breed the pleco will be an unwelcomed guest who won't understnad why he is not allowed to eat those tasty treats....

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Yeah I hoped he would be fine but if not will be sorted I don’t mind if they breed or not and got 2 for the possibility but I am thinking I might have 2 males but not sure. If you are concerned about them with a pleco it would be a lot worse with 2 garras.

 

[anewbie]

Yeah I hoped he would be fine but if not will be sorted I don’t mind if they breed or not and got 2 for the possibility but I am thinking I might have 2 males but not sure. If you are concerned about them with a pleco it would be a lot worse with 2 garras.

I don't really care what you do - just pointing out appropriate stocking. It is your tank and your fishes so do what you want.