Kribensis

The kribensis is a small, colorful dwarf cichlid of the family Cichlidae, native to soft, slow-flowing waters and estuaries of southern Nigeria and Cameroon in West Africa. Both sexes are attractive, but the female is especially striking, flushing a deep cherry-red belly when in breeding condition, alongside iridescent fins and a dark lateral stripe. It is relatively peaceful for a cichlid outside of breeding but becomes territorial when spawning. It is best kept as a bonded pair in a community of similarly sized, non-timid fish. A planted aquarium with caves, driftwood and gentle filtration suits it; it tolerates a wide range of hardness. It is an omnivore accepting pellets, flake, and frozen or live foods. It is a hole-and-cave spawner and a devoted biparental guardian of its fry, making it one of the most rewarding and accessible cichlids for hobbyists to breed.