Pelvicachromis roloffi (Roloff's Krib) Care Guide
Pelvicachromis roloffi is a small West African dwarf cichlid from Guinea and Liberia, a soft-water cave spawner reaching about 8 cm.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pelvicachromis roloffi is a small West African dwarf cichlid in the family Cichlidae. According to FishBase it occurs from the River Kolenté (Great Scarcies) in Guinea to western Liberia, inhabiting acidic, soft waters. Members of the genus show marked sexual dichromatism, with males and females developing different colours.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Pelvicachromis
- Scientific name: Pelvicachromis roloffi
Habitat
FishBase records the species as a benthopelagic freshwater fish of smaller rivers and creeks and of shallow waters near the banks of larger rivers. Across the genus, Pelvicachromis favours densely vegetated, soft and acidic waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (per Aquairi KB); FishBase notes 24-26 °C
- pH: 6.0-7.5 (Aquairi KB); FishBase pH 5.9-7.0
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- Maximum size: about 8 cm TL (FishBase)
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
- Water flow: low
Diet
The species is omnivorous and accepts a varied diet in aquaria. As with related dwarf cichlids, a mix of small live and frozen foods alongside prepared foods is appropriate.
Compatibility
A peaceful, bottom-oriented dwarf cichlid that becomes territorial around its spawning cave. It is best kept with calm soft-water companions such as small West African tetras and Synodontis nigriventris, and away from hard-water or aggressive Rift Lake cichlids.
Breeding
FishBase describes P. roloffi as a pair-bonding cave spawner that spawns in caves. As in the genus, monogamous pairs form and both parents guard eggs and fry.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 09 November 2019), per FishBase.
Pelvicachromis roloffi Breeding Guide
Overview
Pelvicachromis roloffi is a West African dwarf cichlid distributed from the River Kolente (Great Scarcies) in Guinea to western Liberia, found mainly in smaller rivers and creeks. FishBase records a maximum length of about 8 cm and very soft, slightly acidic water of pH 5.9-7.0, 1-2 dH and 24-26 C. Like the rest of the genus it is a pair-bonding cave spawner with biparental brood care.
Sexing
Pelvicachromis are sexually dimorphic dwarf cichlids in which the female leads courtship, often displaying and vibrating in front of the male. Ripe females develop intensified belly colour as they come into condition, while males are typically the larger sex with more extended finnage. Watching for a female that begins to display is the most reliable cue that a pair is ready.
Conditioning
An omnivorous diet of small live and frozen foods alongside prepared foods brings adults into breeding condition. Keeping the pair in stable soft water that matches the species' natural very low hardness supports egg development and reduces the chance of failed or fungused spawns.
Breeding Setup
Provide soft, acidic water within the FishBase range (pH 5.9-7.0, 1-2 dH, 24-26 C) and at least one cave-like spawning site such as a clay pot, pipe section or coconut shell, since the genus lays eggs in any such enclosed structure. A planted, dimly lit tank with several potential sites lets the female choose and reduces tension between the pair.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
After the female initiates courtship the pair selects and cleans a cave, and the female deposits the eggs inside. In Pelvicachromis the female typically lays 50-300 eggs in the cave and the pair then guards the clutch together. Soft acidic water and a securely bonded pair are the principal triggers.
Egg & Fry Care
Both parents guard the cave; in the genus the eggs hatch within roughly 3-8 days and the fry become free-swimming within about 5-10 days. Once free-swimming the brood is led around the tank by the parents and can be fed brine shrimp nauplii and microworm. Note that in Pelvicachromis the relative acidity or alkalinity of the spawning water is reported to skew the sex ratio of the resulting brood.
Common Challenges
The chief challenges are maintaining the very soft, low-hardness water the species comes from and securing a compatible bonded pair, as forced pairings may not settle immediately. Offering small-mouthed caves and stable parameters improves spawning success and keeps the guarding pair from turning on each other.