Lucanusi Krib (Enigmatochromis lucanusi)

Meet the Lucanusi Krib, the blue-finned dwarf cichlid from Guinea

The Lucanusi Krib (Enigmatochromis lucanusi) is a small West African cave-spawning cichlid that looks like a kribensis at first glance. Aquarists first knew it as Pelvicachromis sp. "Blue Fin", and shops still list it as "Pelvicachromis lucanusi", but it belongs to a genus of its own. It is known from one place only: the Foto River, a small savannah stream that joins the Konkouré River near Fria in coastal Guinea. For a planted aquarium it is one of the most peaceful dwarf cichlids you can keep.

Its names tell its story. According to Wikipedia, Enigmatochromis refers to an enigma: the colours resemble many Pelvicachromis, while the body shape is closer to Parananochromis. The species name honours Oliver Lucanus, the collector and aquarist who told Anton Lamboj where to find it. The fish reached the USA, Canada and Europe in 2004, where most keepers assumed it was a Pelvicachromis.

Check the names on the label

Lamboj described the genus and species in 2009 in the journal Zootaxa, as reported by Practical Fishkeeping. One clear difference from the true kribs is a count of 12 scales around the tail stem, where Pelvicachromis has 16. Aquarium Glaser adds that the female's neon-blue dorsal fin is unique among the West African "king cichlids". Compare it with our Pelvicachromis kribs.

Know exactly what you receive

One purchase supplies one live Lucanusi Krib. The size option is "Standard": the fish is sent at the size currently available. Sex is not chosen or guaranteed, and because males and females are coloured very differently, the fish you receive may not match the photograph. The photographs show the type of fish, not the individual you will receive.

Tell the sexes apart

Plan a pair

• Two or more fish: the best way to get a pair; this is a monogamous, pair-bonding species.
• One fish: fine as a peaceful resident in a small community, though it will show its best colours when paired.
• More than one pair: only in a larger tank where each pair can have its own cave well apart from the others.

Read our delivery and Live Arrival Guarantee information before ordering.

Size the aquarium for a true dwarf cichlid

FishBase gives a maximum of 4.5 cm standard length, measured without the tail. Aquarium Glaser reports males up to 8 cm and females up to 6 cm, without saying whether the tail is included. The sources do not agree, so plan for a small fish in which the male is clearly the larger sex when mature.

For dwarf cichlids OATA advises at least 60 litres for a pair and at least 80 litres if other fish are added, noting that bigger tanks give more stable conditions. For ideas on stocking that size of tank, see our guide to the best fish for a 60 litre tank.

Run a quick space check

1. Volume: 60 litres or more for a pair alone, 80 litres or more for a community.
2. Floor: a base of about 60–80 cm gives room for a cave territory and open sand.
3. Caves: at least one per female plus a spare, set apart from each other.

Recreate a Guinean savannah stream

Practical Fishkeeping describes the home stream as a small river with fine gravel, a few larger rocks and boulders, banks densely overgrown with Anubias lanceolata, clumps of Vallisneria, and ferns such as Bolbitis heudelotii growing on boulders and fallen trees. FishBase notes that it was found alongside the krib Pelvicachromis humilis.

Aquarium Glaser recommends a sandy bottom, at least in places, a well-planted tank and plenty of dead wood and dead leaves. That makes it a natural choice for a planted aquarium, which is exactly the setup Aquarium Glaser recommends. Browse more fish for planted tanks.

Lay out the tank by function

Match soft, slightly acidic water

Practical Fishkeeping and FishBase report dry-season readings at the type locality of GH 0, KH 0, pH 5.8 and 24°C: extremely soft, acidic water. Aquarium Glaser says such water is needed for breeding but not for normal care. OATA's general range for dwarf cichlids is 22–27°C, pH 6.0–8.0 and soft to medium hardness of 4–12°dH. We suggest the targets below.

Work with UK tap water

Soft supplies in Scotland, Wales and parts of northern and south-west England suit this fish once treated with a conditioner. In hard-water areas of southern and eastern England, mix tap water with reverse-osmosis water to soften it, and change the mix gradually. Our water matcher compares your readings with the targets, and our guide to aquarium pH explains how to lower pH safely, without sudden swings.

Keep the filtration gentle and the water clean

OATA stresses that a filter is essential at any tank size. For a small cichlid from a stream, choose a sponge or small external filter with a gentle outlet that does not blow fry around, and keep the surface moving for oxygen.

Follow a weekly routine

1. Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and hardness at least once a week, as OATA advises.
2. Change about 25% of the water with conditioned water of the same temperature and hardness.
3. Siphon waste from open areas without disturbing occupied caves.
4. Rinse filter sponges in removed tank water, never under the tap.
5. Replace dead leaves as they break down.

Feed small, varied meals

No feeding study exists for this species. OATA describes dwarf cichlids as omnivores that do well on a good-quality flake or granule with occasional small live or frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp, fed once a day and only as much as they eat within a few minutes.

Build one measured meal

• Staple: a fine granule or crumbled flake that sinks slowly to the lower water.
• Live and frozen: daphnia, brine shrimp or cyclops a few times a week, as OATA suggests for dwarf cichlids.
• Portion: what is gone within a few minutes; remove leftovers from around the caves.
• Competition: make sure faster tank mates do not take everything before the cichlids reach it.

Settle it in during the first week

Add the fish to a mature, planted aquarium with ammonia and nitrite at zero. OATA's method is to switch off the lights, float the sealed bag for 10 minutes, then add small amounts of tank water over up to 20 minutes before releasing the fish with as little bag water as possible. Our guide on how to acclimatise new fish covers each step.

Use first-week checkpoints

Choose small, calm tank mates

Aquarium Glaser calls it one of the most peaceful dwarf cichlids and suggests smaller tetras, barbs, killifish and catfish from the region as companions. OATA notes that dwarf cichlids can still become territorial, especially when breeding, and benefit from a shoal of dither fish for security. If you plan to breed, avoid tank mates that disturb the cave or eat fry.

Screen each companion

If you like kribs, compare it with the Kribensis Cichlid, Roloff's Kribensis and the Nigerian Green Kribensis; our kribensis care guide covers setups that suit this fish too. Check any mix with our tank mates tool, and browse all African cichlids or the African dwarf cichlids category.

Watch these health signs

OATA describes a healthy fish as having clear, bright eyes, undamaged fins, intact scales, no ulcers or bumps, normal swimming and steady breathing. Clamped fins, flicking against decor and shimmying are warning signs, as are changes in colour, breathing, appetite and hiding. Our cichlid care guide covers the common problems.

Pair each sign with an action

Breed the Lucanusi Krib in a cave

FishBase describes a monogamous, pair-bonding cave spawner in which both parents guard the eggs, the female more intensively. Aquarium Glaser adds that the female mainly tends the eggs and larvae while the male defends the territory, and that once the young leave the cave both parents care for them equally. Soft, slightly acidic water helps. Small juveniles show three or four rows of irregular dark dots, a feature Lamboj used in the description.

Follow the brood timeline

Answer Lucanusi Krib buying questions

Is the Lucanusi Krib a Pelvicachromis?

No, although it was first sold as one. Aquarists knew it as Pelvicachromis sp. "Blue Fin" until Anton Lamboj described it in 2009 as Enigmatochromis lucanusi, the only species in its own genus. It has 12 scales around the tail stem where Pelvicachromis has 16. "Pelvicachromis lucanusi" is not a valid scientific name.

Where does it come from?

It is known only from the Foto River, a small savannah stream that flows into the Konkouré River near Fria in coastal Guinea, West Africa.

How big does it get?

FishBase gives 4.5 cm standard length, measured without the tail. Aquarium Glaser reports males up to 8 cm and females up to 6 cm. Males are the larger sex.

How can I tell males from females?

Females have a bright, iridescent blue dorsal fin with no more than two dark dots on it, a clear tail and a crimson belly when they defend a territory or spawn. Males have a yellowish back and many dark dots on the dorsal fin and the upper half of the tail.

Does it need soft water?

Only for breeding. Aquarium Glaser says soft, acidic water is not necessary for normal care. The wild stream measured GH 0, KH 0 and pH 5.8 in the dry season; for everyday keeping we suggest 24–26°C, pH 6.0–7.0 and soft to medium water.

Can it live in a community tank?

Yes. Aquarium Glaser calls it one of the most peaceful dwarf cichlids and suggests small tetras, barbs, killifish and catfish as companions. A breeding pair still defends its cave, so give it space.

What size tank does it need?

OATA advises at least 60 litres for a pair of dwarf cichlids and at least 80 litres if other fish are added. A 60–80 cm aquarium with caves, plants and wood suits it well.

How many fish come with one purchase?

One live fish of the standard size currently available. Sex is not chosen or guaranteed; buy two or more if you want a pair to form.

Consult the care references

• FishBase: Enigmatochromis lucanusi — size, range, water readings at the type locality, pair-bonding cave spawning and brood timings.
• Practical Fishkeeping: Pelvicachromis sp. 'Blue fin' gets official name — the 2009 description by Anton Lamboj, the habitat, dry-season water chemistry and the blue-finned female.
• Aquarium Glaser: Enigmatochromis lucanusi (2023) — adult sizes by sex, colours, tank layout, temperament, suitable tank mates and brood roles.
• Wikipedia: Enigmatochromis lucanusi — the meaning of the genus name, scale-count difference from Pelvicachromis, colours by sex and the 2004 import.
• OATA: How to look after dwarf cichlids — UK guidance on water quality, tank volume, acclimatisation, feeding and breeding for dwarf cichlids.
• Tropical Fish Co delivery policy — current dispatch days and Live Arrival Guarantee terms.