Easy
Pelvicachromis taeniatus lobe
24–28°C · pH 6–7.5 · 80L
£18.99
Pelvicachromis taeniatus Kienke is a peaceful West African striped krib, an easy cave-spawning dwarf cichlid.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Pelvicachromis taeniatus kienke
Pelvicachromis taeniatus kienke bond and breed in male/female pairs. Buying a pair gives them the social structure they need — and you get a better price per fish.
Pelvicachromis taeniatus Kienke is a peaceful West African striped krib, an easy cave-spawning dwarf cichlid.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Cichlids are one of the most diverse fish families in the hobby. From tiny apistogrammas to massive oscars, this guide covers the basics of keeping them well.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
The Kienke locality of Pelvicachromis taeniatus is a West African dwarf cichlid from Nigeria and Cameroon, collected from the Kienke river region. One of several geographic forms of this striped krib, it offers the same gentle temperament and intense breeding colour that have made P. taeniatus a community-tank classic, while staying a manageable 8 cm at maturity.
This is an easy-going, peaceful cichlid that suits a planted aquarium of at least 80 litres. Hold the water between pH 6.0 and 7.5 with moderate hardness of 5-15 dGH and a temperature of 24-28°C, and provide caves, coconut shells and driftwood for cover. It is a dedicated cave spawner: an established pair bonds strongly, and both parents guard their fry, which is genuinely absorbing to watch in the home tank. Females develop particularly vivid belly colouration when in breeding condition.
Feeding is uncomplicated. As an omnivore it takes a varied diet of flakes and pellets alongside frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp, foraging mainly in the lower zone of the tank. Best kept as a pair, the Kienke is one of the easier dwarf cichlids to spawn at home. A bonded pair is the heart of any successful set-up, so look out for fish showing the early signs of pairing, and ease new arrivals into your parameters gently to help them settle and begin claiming a cave. Well conditioned on a varied diet and given the cover it needs, the Kienke is among the more straightforward dwarf cichlids to spawn at home, and watching both parents shepherd a brood of fry is one of the genuine pleasures of keeping the species.
Kienke kribs mix well with tetras, rasboras, corydoras and otocinclus in a peaceful community. Avoid aggressive cichlids and other cave-spawning dwarf cichlids, which can lead to disputes over territory and spawning sites. Provide caves or coconut shells so a pair can spawn securely. We dispatch each fish through a licensed live-animal courier with our live arrival guarantee for safe UK delivery.
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