Krib Question

[AreJayGee]

Hi all--I've been reading the forums for a couple of months now as I've been planning my first dwarf cichlid aquarium. I recently got 2 pairs of kribs and am waiting for them to pair off so that I can move one pair to a 10 gallon of their own.

I've had them about 5 days now and they're coloring up nicely--all except for their dorsal and caudal fins. There is some color showing, but the fins don't look as dark as I've seen on some other kribs. Nor does there seem to be the caudal spots I've seen on some Kribs. Could this be an issue of maturity? They are 6 months old and the rest of their color is good.

The tank they're in now is 29 gallons, 78 degrees, pH 7.2, GH 6, KH 8 (I have been buffering the water with some Baking soda to prevent pH crashes--out of the tank the KH is 3). Ammonia and Nitrites are at 0, NitrAtes are between 5-10 (I add a little NO3 for my plants). In the next couple of weeks I'll be adding CO2 for my plants, so I expect to see the pH change a little.

I've been feeding them Omega One foods--Freshwater Flake, Color Flake, Veggie Flake, and Cichlid Flake--as well as the ocassional treat of Frozen Blood Worm and Brine Shrimp.

I know that it can take a period of adjustment for them to fully color up--am I just being impatient?

Thanks a lot--I've learned a lot from reading threads here and am looking forward to making the most of my Kribs and some other dwarf cichlids!

RJ

 

[Randall]

Krib Coloring

Dear RJ,

From your description, it sounds like your kribs just need a little more time to adjust to their new surroundings. Pelvicachromis pulcher coloration is highly variable as are their dorsal and caudal ocelli. Until you get your CO2 system up and running, it might be a good idea to hold off on the baking soda. Given your water parameters, it doesn't sound you're in any danger of pH crashes, providing you keep up with once per week partial water changes.

Good luck with them!

Randall Kohn

 

[farm41]

Carbonate hardness at 3 degrees is fine even with co2 addition. The only time you would have problems is if you weren't keeping up on the weekly water changes. Just change the water weekly, leave the baking soda in the kitchen and out of the fish tank.

8)

 

[AreJayGee]

Thanks for the prompt responses. I was pretty sure it was a matter of adjustment and acclimation.

Regarding the buffering--I should have said-- I was buffering to prevent _further_ pH crashes. I had a pretty severe pH crash earlier last month due to some bad advice about plant fertilizer tabs and the use of a Chlorine/Chloramine remover that can cause pH crashes in poorly buffered water (less than KH 4). I do weekly 20-25% water changes and at least one change a month I try to do 33% and always thoroughly vacuum.

Thanks again
RJ

 

[Neil]

AreJayGee,

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

Sounds like you have most of the ingredients for a good krib tank. I agree with Randall and matt though. I would axe the baking soda and up the water changes a touch. I really doubt that you are going to have any pH problems unless you skip water changes or add to much CO2. Do 50% water changes 1 per week and your kribs will condition faster and love you for it. Your feeding is excellent. Keep it up!
Neil