Pelvicachromis humilis Care Guide
Pelvicachromis humilis is the largest kribensis, a West African soft-water cichlid from Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia and a pair-bonded cave spawner.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pelvicachromis humilis is among the largest members of the kribensis genus Pelvicachromis. Males are larger and have pointed dorsal and anal fins, while females are rounder in body shape. The species is a West African soft-water cave spawner.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Pelvicachromis
- Scientific name: Pelvicachromis humilis
- Described: Boulenger, 1916
Habitat
The species is found in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. As with other members of the genus, it occupies soft, acidic waters. A standard length of around 12.5 cm is recorded for the species.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 110 L for a single pair
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 5.0-7.0
- GH: 5-12 °dGH
- Decor: caves for spawning
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
Live and frozen foods should form a significant portion of the diet, with dried foods also accepted. Vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or spirulina flakes should be included. The species is an omnivore.
Compatibility
The species is more resilient than some relatives but is unsuitable with very vigorous or large fish. It is compatible with larger tetras, loricariids and African butterfly fish. It is aggressive towards conspecifics, so only a single pair should be kept unless the tank is very large.
Breeding
The species is a cave spawner that forms monogamous pairs. Eggs hatch in two to three days, and fry become free-swimming after seven to eight days. Breeding is noted as less easy than in some other members of the genus.
Pelvicachromis humilis Breeding Guide
Overview
Pelvicachromis humilis is one of the largest kribs, reaching about 12.5 cm standard length. Seriously Fish gives its range as Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, in soft, acidic West African waters. It is reported as not as easy to breed as some other members of the genus and is rare in the hobby, so a settled pair and stable soft-water conditions are important for success.
Sexing
Males are larger with pointed dorsal and anal fins, while females have rounder bodies. As in other kribs, a ripe female shows a fuller, more rounded belly when ready to spawn.
Conditioning
Condition adults on a varied diet over a period of weeks while holding soft, acidic water. Krib genus husbandry favours a mix of quality dried foods with live and frozen items to bring a pair into breeding condition.
Breeding Setup
- General maintenance: 24-27 °C, pH 5.0-7.0, hardness about 5-12 dH (Seriously Fish).
- Breeding conditions: around 24-26 °C with pH 5.5-6.5 (Seriously Fish).
- Décor: caves with an entrance accessible to the female, which helps reduce courtship aggression.
- Stocking: a single compatible monogamous pair in its own territory.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
This is a monogamous cave spawner. The eggs are laid on the roof or wall of the selected cave; soft, acidic water and a secure cave are the main spawning triggers. Courtship aggression occurs, and providing a cave whose entrance admits the female but excludes the male can help the pair settle.
Egg & Fry Care
According to Seriously Fish, the eggs hatch in 2-3 days and the fry become free-swimming after 7-8 days. The female tends the eggs in the cave while the male defends the territory. Once free-swimming, the fry accept brine shrimp nauplii or microworm as first foods.
Common Challenges
Reproduction is described as not as easy as in some other kribs, and the species is rare in the hobby. Maintaining genuinely soft, acidic water and managing courtship aggression in a well-structured tank are the main challenges.