Paralabidochromis sp. "Rock Kribensis" Care Guide
The Rock Kribensis is a Lake Victoria haplochromine cichlid (linked to Paralabidochromis sauvagei) from rocky littoral zones, with colourful barred males.
Overview
The Rock Kribensis is a Lake Victoria haplochromine traded as Paralabidochromis sp. "Rock Kribensis" and associated with Paralabidochromis (Haplochromis) sauvagei. Dominant males show bright red and yellow colours with dark bars. It comes from the rocky littoral zone of Lake Victoria and is a maternal mouthbrooder.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Paralabidochromis (also placed in Haplochromis)
- Trade name: Paralabidochromis sp. "Rock Kribensis"
- Associated species: Paralabidochromis sauvagei
Habitat
Hobby sources describe it from the sandy littoral zone of Lake Victoria where rocks provide shelter. As with most Victoria endemics, wild populations were nearly driven to extinction by the introduced Nile perch (Lates niloticus), so aquarium populations are important to the species' survival. The water is warm and alkaline.
Tank requirements
- Maximum size: about 9-12 cm (hobby sources / KB record)
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (KB record, warm Victoria water)
- pH: 7.5-8.5 (KB record, alkaline Victoria water)
- Rocky aquascape with stable, crevice-rich rockwork
- Keep one male with two or more females
Diet
Hobby sources report that in the wild it is omnivorous, taking filamentous blue-green algae, aufwuchs, chironomid larvae and other insect larvae. In captivity a good-quality flake or granular staple is supplemented with frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, daphnia, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp and Mysis, with live foods readily accepted.
Compatibility
Hobby sources note Victorian cichlids are not overly aggressive and are best kept in groups with two or more females per male. Aquascaping with rocky outcrops that break sight-lines lets territorial fish avoid one another; rocks should be stable as the fish may dig.
Breeding
It is a maternal mouthbrooder and is described as easy to keep and breed, with the female carrying eggs and fry in her mouth.
Conservation status
Wild Lake Victoria haplochromines have suffered major declines from Nile perch predation, making aquarium-maintained strains relevant to their conservation.