Kribs.
inhabits the waters of Africa, but unlike other African cichlids, they get
3 inches long in males and one inch smaller in females. The Kribs live in
water where the pH is very low, in the 5.6. 6.5. area, they will be able to
tolerate hard water but I do not advise this if you are going to breed them.
(but will get into detail about breeding and water conditions a little later)
also like to breed in those conditions, they will also Breed in neutral water which I
also recomend since the pH and Hardness of the water decide if most of the fry will be
male or female. As for how to lower the pH and keep the hardness at levels they enjoy,
you should use peat moss or granuales (Target or other gardening stores will carry 100%
Canadian Spagnum peat which contains no cow or bull dung which will kill your fish) Other
conditioners you can add to the water are Cichlid Vital from Tetra products which will
promote livelyhood and breeding and Tetra Blackwater Extract.
for breeding. Also make sure you have adequete water circulation so that the water temp
may be the desired temperature throughout the whole tank.
Some Tetra's Cory cats, Pleco's and will also get along with Angel fish but the Kribs tend to fin
nip the angels. Well those are most of the fish I have added into the tank at the moment. All fish
can withstand slight condition changes within the water, but the conditions of the water must be changed
slowly.
clean water. The pH seems critical in determining the sex ratio of
the fry. The Loiselle dwarf cichlid book goes into this.
They mate for life and look after the brood. Very aggressive
and territorial at breeding time, but rather docile at other
times.
Better, find a dealer that has a breeding pair. Somewhat difficult
to sex, usually size differences is the key. Others say they're
easy to sex, the females are larger and have pink bellies.
In the store they may look dull, but they brighten up with
good care.
hiding places such as Driftwood, ETC...
The kribs are shy and having some 'braver' fish will make them
more visible. Lots of hiding places also help.
They like plants, but don't burrow or harm them.
Some people say a 15g is OK, others say it's a bit small,
but a 20g-30g tank is probably OK for a pair. If the tank is too small
the female may kill the male or other tankmates.
Can get 3-4" long.
Feed lots of live food, earthworms, clean water.
The pH seems critical in determining the sex ratio of the fry.
The Loiselle dwarf cichlid book goes into this.
They mate for life and look after the brood. Very aggressive
and territorial at breeding time, but rather docile at other
times.
Well, I got those kribs. one male and one female. I am setting up some
rocks to make a cave for them. How do I spawn them, and do they need
to be in a seperate tank?
Kribs are rather "secretive" spawners. They tend to like lots of cover
(in terms of plants, such as, java moss) and can spawn in clay flower
pots or in my case, ceramic fish tubes. Spawning is usually eminent when
the female (shorter and stockier fish) "colors up" and will try to gain
males attention by "dancing"...short dashs side ways at him and lots of
shimming.
They make excellent parents and tend to keep the fry hidden for a week or
two before venturing out into the tank. I would keep them in a tank all
by themselves for maxium protection of fry.
The male will guard spawn and tends to "shake" warnings to you if you get
to close. They are wonderful little fish and fun to breed.
One problem though...once started spawning they are hard to turn off and
will produce MANY young regularly if the conditions are right. You
may find yourself with more Kribs than you could possibly need. Ask
me, I know, I have several tanks FULL of young Kribs.
We are now practicing "fishy birth control" by seperation of parents.
