Uganda Kribensis (Haplochromis sp.) Care Guide
The Uganda Kribensis is a Lake Victoria-region haplochromine cichlid kept partly as a conservation strain. Like other haps it is a maternal mouthbrooder.
Overview
The Uganda Kribensis is a haplochromine cichlid associated with the Lake Victoria region of East Africa, traded under the provisional name Haplochromis sp. "Uganda Kribensis". Haplochromis is a large genus of haplochromine cichlids; many of its species belong to the Lake Victoria flock and are kept in the hobby partly to maintain populations of fish whose wild numbers have collapsed.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Haplochromis
- Scientific name: Haplochromis sp. "Uganda Kribensis"
- Note: undescribed trade form; placement within Haplochromis is provisional
Habitat
Haplochromis is centred on the East African Rift lakes, especially Lake Victoria and connected waters. The Victoria haplochromine flock represents a large adaptive radiation; following the introduction of the Nile perch after 1954, an estimated 200 haplochromine species may have become extinct, and many surviving lines persist mainly in aquaria. This trade form is part of that conservation context.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Substrate: sand
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
The Uganda Kribensis is an omnivore. A mixed diet of quality prepared foods with frozen and occasional vegetable items suits most Victorian haplochromines.
Compatibility
This is a semi-aggressive, mid-water fish. It is best kept with other robust Victorian haplochromines, Astatotilapia and Synodontis catfish, and away from Lake Malawi Mbuna, Tropheus and gentle species such as Discus, Apistogramma and other dwarf cichlids.
Breeding
Like Haplochromis generally, it is a maternal mouthbrooder; the female incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth.