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Subocellatus Krib
Pelvicachromis subocellatus
📍 West Africa (Gabon, Republic of Congo)
Pelvicachromis subocellatus, commonly known as the Subocellatus Krib, is a colorful West African dwarf cichlid closely related to the popular Kribensis. Males display vibrant yellow and red coloration with distinctive ocellated spots on the tail, while females develop a striking purple-red belly during breeding. They are a rewarding species for hobbyists interested in cichlid behavior and breeding in a community or species-specific setup.
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Care Guide
Diet
Subocellatus Kribs are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet including high-quality cichlid pellets or flakes as a staple. Supplement regularly with live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia to enhance coloration and conditioning for breeding. Feed small amounts 2-3 times daily, ensuring all food is consumed within a few minutes to maintain water quality.
Behavior
Subocellatus Kribs are generally peaceful outside of breeding periods, spending most of their time exploring the lower regions of the tank and investigating caves and hiding spots. During spawning, pairs can become territorial and may aggressively defend their chosen cave from tankmates. They are best kept as a bonded pair and display fascinating parental care behaviors, guarding eggs and fry attentively.
Breeding
Breeding Subocellatus Kribs is moderately straightforward when a compatible pair is established and suitable cave structures such as coconut shells or clay pots are provided. The female typically lays 50-200 eggs inside the cave, and both parents share duties guarding the eggs and fry. Slightly soft, acidic water and conditioning with live foods will encourage spawning behavior.
Tank Mates
Peaceful bottom dweller that generally avoids conflict with kribs outside breeding periods
Small, fast-moving schooling fish that occupy upper water levels and are largely ignored by kribs
Peaceful algae eater that stays out of the kribs' territory; avoid during breeding
Small, peaceful schooling fish that occupy mid-upper levels and pose no threat to kribs
Gentle algae eater that stays near surfaces and plants, rarely conflicts with kribs
Generally peaceful but may be harassed by breeding kribs; provide ample space and hiding spots
Common Diseases
Ich (White Spot Disease)
Small white spots resembling grains of salt on body and fins, flashing against surfaces, lethargy, loss of appetite
Raise water temperature gradually to 28-30°C, treat with aquarium-safe ich medication containing malachite green or formalin; perform regular water changes
Hole-in-the-Head Disease (HITH)
Pitting or erosion on the head and lateral line, loss of color, reduced appetite
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, address nutritional deficiencies with varied diet, treat with metronidazole if bacterial or parasitic involvement is suspected
Bacterial Infection (Fin Rot)
Frayed, discolored, or deteriorating fins, redness at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality, perform water changes, treat with broad-spectrum antibiotics such as kanamycin or erythromycin
Bloat / Internal Parasites
Swollen abdomen, pinecone-like raised scales (dropsy), loss of appetite, abnormal feces
Quarantine affected fish, treat with metronidazole for internal parasites or bacterial bloat; improve diet and water conditions; severe dropsy may be difficult to treat
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – accepts high-quality flakes, pellets, frozen/live foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia
- lifespan
- 4-6 years
- max size
- 9 cm (3.5 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- semi-aggressive
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0-7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 2-12 dGH
- temperature
- 75–81°F (24–27°C)