矮矛耙丽鱼 · Yellow Kribensis

Overview

Pelvicachromis humilis has an elongated body and relatively long snout, with a larger build than many close relatives. Aggression toward its own species makes partner compatibility an important concern: buying one male and one female does not guarantee a pair.

Distribution & habitat

Native to Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea, it inhabits slow-flowing rivers and tributaries with plentiful dissolved oxygen.

Aquarium setup

Provide many retreats with clay-pot caves, roots, and driftwood. Sand or fine gravel allows breeding fish to excavate, while plants add optional cover. Include narrow shelters accessible to the female alone. Gentle filtration is useful for breeding because fry can be drawn into stronger filter intakes.

Diet & feeding

Live and frozen foods should make up a substantial share of a varied diet. Dry foods are also accepted. Include vegetable material such as softened spinach or spirulina flakes.

Behaviour & compatibility

Although comparatively robust, it should not share space with excessively large or vigorous fish. Other soft-water cichlids require enough room for separate territories. Normally keep only one pair; additional conspecifics need a very large aquarium. Other bottom dwellers can threaten eggs and fry, whereas calm dither fish may reduce brood loss by distracted parents.

Sexual dimorphism

Males are larger and develop pointed dorsal and anal fins. Females have a rounder body profile.

Breeding

Raise at least six juveniles and allow partners to select each other. An incompatible imposed pairing can result in serious injury or death. Breeding conditions may be around 24–26 °C and pH 5.5–6.5. Courtship can be prolonged, with persistent male pursuit making female-only shelters valuable.

A pair uses an existing cave or excavates beneath decor. Eggs usually adhere to the roof or wall. The female attends them while the male guards outside. Hatching takes about two or three days, and fry become free-swimming around seven or eight days. Both parents guide the group, sometimes carrying stray fry in their mouths and returning them to the brood.

Brine shrimp nauplii and microworms are suitable first foods; fry also browse algae and detritus. Watch the adults because partner aggression can emerge during brood care. Young are generally left with the parents until signs of another spawning appear.

Notes

Several geographic forms differ in appearance, and some related forms have undergone taxonomic reassessment. The elongated outline and longer snout are useful identifying features, but a commercial color-form label alone does not establish identity.