New kribs and a few qustions for Kribheads

[Jayhawk]

I picked up a male and a female common krib yesterday at the LFS to replace my constantly waring convict pair.

They're in a 20 long, and I added 3 cherry barbs and a bristlenose pleco at the same time. They have 3 cave areas (1 single cave, but the other two cave areas are like cave complexes), plastic plants, and they're on a sand substrate in water pH 7.6, KH 4, GH 14. The female is nice and colorful, but the male looks like a piece of laundry that has spent too much time in the sun! :lol: Anyone know if it's likely he will color up more with time?

I've been surprised at how much braver the little female is. She's all over the tank constantly exploring. In contrast, the male hid for 5 hours straight, but he is now making quick forays out and exploring a bit, too.

Just wanted to let everyone know, especially those who recommended kribs for my water & tank, that I got a pair.

Oh, before I forget it, one more question which I asked in the past, but the board had a lot fewer members then. I got the cherry barbs as dithers, but I did contemplate an african butterfly fish as well in the tank since it's a top water only fish. I was worried the kribs might rip the butterflys hanging fins since the 20 long is only 12 inches deep. Has anyone tried this combo (kind of biotopish I believe)? Anyone think it would be a good or a bad idea? I really like butterfly fish, but I wouldn't want it ripped to shreds during breeding time.

Thanks,

Eric

 

[Randall]

New Pelvicachromis pulcher

Dear Eric,

It may take a little time for your male Pelv. pulcher to settle in. Eventuallly, he should color up a bit and will venture out of the cave more.

As for the African Butterfly fish, that's a judgement call. If you like, you could try it and see how it goes, but may need to move it to different quarters when your Pelv. pulcher spawn.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[tjudy]

I think that the kribs will attack the fins of the butterfly fish when they spawn. Are the butterflyfish and the Pel. pulcher from the same biotope?

 

[Jayhawk]

Ted - The krib and ABF are from the same biotope/parts of Africa. I went ahead and picked one up, but I am watching the kribs closely. The ABF stays only at the surface (I had one when I was a kid - that was probably 25 years ago, but I do recall he stayed only at surface level, too).

I'm hoping, even if the pair pairs up and spawns, they'll leave the ABF alone...I'm sure the barbs and the bristlenose will be seen as bigger threats. If not, perhaps I can convince the wife that I need to replace the 20 long with a 29 since that will give me 6" more of height which would probably put sufficient space between the kribs and the ABF.

Do male and female kribs pair up pretty easily? Right now, the male chases the female a bit (nothing near as bad as the ex-cons I had)? She has done this curve the body thing in front of him a couple of times, but he has ignored it. Am I right guessing that's some form of courting display on her part?

Eric

 

[Randall]

Pelvicachromis pulcher Courtship

Do male and female kribs pair up pretty easily? Right now, the male chases the female a bit (nothing near as bad as the ex-cons I had)? She has done this curve the body thing in front of him a couple of times, but he has ignored it. Am I right guessing that's some form of courting display on her part?

Dear Eric,

It may take a few weeks, or sometimes longer, for your Pelv. pulcher to acclimate and pair bond. If the female is displaying to the male ("curve the body thing"), that means she's interested. Eventually, he will stop ignoring her away and respond. In the interim, please feed them well, keep up with the frequent partial water changes, and all should go well.

Oh...why convince your wife to get a 29-gallon tank to replace your 20? Go for a 75 and settle for a 65!

Good luck (with your wife; the fish will do just fine)!

Randall Kohn

 

[Jayhawk]

Randall,

thanks for the advice. About the 65, believe it or not, unless I want my fish stuck in the basement, we have serious wallspace issues in our little 2 bedroom house (occupied also by 1 disproportiate space taking 4 year old)! I tried basement tanks in the past, but I just never spent any time down there...

Eric