Easy
Pelvicachromis taeniatus kienke
24–28°C · pH 6–7.5 · 80L
£41.99
Pelvicachromis taeniatus Moliwe is a peaceful West African striped krib, an easy and rewarding cave spawner.
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 molive
Pelvicachromis taeniatus molive 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 Moliwe is a peaceful West African striped krib, an easy and rewarding cave spawner.
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 Moliwe locality of Pelvicachromis taeniatus is a West African dwarf cichlid from Nigeria and Cameroon, one of the many regional forms of the striped krib that hobbyists collect for their subtle differences in pattern and colour. Like every P. taeniatus, the Moliwe combines a calm disposition with the standout breeding colour the species is known for, growing to around 8 cm.
It is an easy fish to keep and a delight to breed. House it in a planted community of at least 80 litres with caves, coconut shells and driftwood, keeping the water between pH 6.0 and 7.5, hardness of 5-15 dGH and a temperature of 24-28°C. As a cave spawner, a bonded pair will claim a spawning site and raise fry cooperatively, both parents standing guard. Females turn an intense belly colour when in breeding condition, a reliable sign that a pair has settled.
Its omnivorous appetite is easily satisfied with flakes and pellets plus frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp, taken mostly in the lower part of the tank. Best maintained as a pair, the Moliwe is a rewarding and undemanding choice for a soft-water aquarium. The subtle differences that distinguish this locality are most apparent in mature, well-conditioned fish, so a stable, established aquarium brings out its character over time, and a gentle acclimatisation helps new arrivals settle and begin pairing. Provide plenty of caves and coconut shells, keep the water soft and gently acidic, and a bonded pair will reward you by claiming a site and raising fry cooperatively, both parents standing guard over their brood in classic krib fashion.
The Moliwe settles happily with tetras, rasboras, corydoras and otocinclus. Avoid aggressive cichlids and other cave-spawning dwarf cichlids that would contest its territory, and always provide caves or coconut shells for spawning. Your Moliwe krib is sent by a licensed live-animal courier and protected by our live arrival guarantee.
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