Pelvicachromis subocellatus (Eye-Spot Krib) Care Guide
Pelvicachromis subocellatus is a dwarf cichlid from coastal Gabon to the lower Congo, a cave-spawning substrate brooder tolerant of slightly brackish water.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pelvicachromis subocellatus is a dwarf cichlid in the family Cichlidae. FishBase records it from coastal areas from Libreville (Gabon) to the lower Congo (Moanda), noting that Nigerian reports need confirmation. The genus shows pronounced sexual dichromatism.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Pelvicachromis
- Scientific name: Pelvicachromis subocellatus
Habitat
FishBase classifies the species as a demersal fish of freshwater and brackish habitats. Living in coastal lowland systems, it tolerates a wider hardness range than most congeners.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (Aquairi KB); FishBase notes 22-26 °C
- pH: 6.0-7.0 (Aquairi KB); FishBase pH 6.0-8.0
- GH: 2-12 °dGH (Aquairi KB); FishBase dH 5-19
- Maximum size: 5.3 cm SL (FishBase)
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
- Water flow: low
Diet
An omnivore that accepts a varied diet in aquaria, including small live and frozen foods alongside prepared foods, in line with related dwarf cichlids.
Compatibility
A peaceful, bottom-oriented cichlid that becomes territorial near its breeding cave. It suits calm soft-water companions such as small West African tetras and Synodontis nigriventris, and should be kept away from hard-water or aggressive Rift Lake cichlids.
Breeding
FishBase describes P. subocellatus as a pair-bonding, cave-spawning substrate brooder that spawns in caves. Both members of the pair tend the eggs and fry.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 17 October 2019), per FishBase.
Pelvicachromis subocellatus Breeding Guide
Overview
Pelvicachromis subocellatus is a West African dwarf cichlid reaching about 8 cm, distributed across Nigeria, Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a shy, retiring cave spawner that becomes territorial when breeding and, like the rest of the genus, prefers soft, acidic water.
Sexing
Males are larger and carry pointed dorsal and anal fins. Females are rounder-bodied and, when in spawning condition, develop a characteristic pink flush on the flanks. During courtship the female turns deep pink with a black patch on either side, a display that confirms readiness to spawn.
Conditioning
The species accepts most foods but live and frozen varieties are preferred, and it also browses algae and detritus. Conditioning a pair on these foods brings the female into the bright pink courtship state that precedes spawning. Because the female leads courtship in this genus, a well-conditioned female showing intensified flank colour is the clearest sign a pair is ready to commit to a cave.
Breeding Setup
Provide soft, acidic water around pH 5.5-6.5 with hardness of roughly 5-20 dH and a temperature of about 24-26 C (75-79 F), together with enclosed caves for spawning. A quiet, well-decorated tank suits this retiring species and gives the female a site to claim.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
These cave spawners form monogamous pairs and the female initiates courtship with her deep pink display. The pair lays up to 200 eggs on the cave walls or ceiling. Warm, soft acidic water and a settled pair are the main triggers.
Egg & Fry Care
Care is biparental: the female tends the eggs while the male defends the surrounding territory. Eggs hatch in 2-3 days and the fry become free-swimming after 7-8 days, accepting brine shrimp nauplii or microworm as first foods. Once the fry are free-swimming the pair should be watched, as some females may turn on their partners.
Common Challenges
The species' shy nature means it needs cover and quiet to spawn, and the soft acidic water must be kept stable. The recognised risk of a female turning aggressive toward the male after the fry are free-swimming should be monitored, separating the pair if persistent aggression occurs.