AFRICAN CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes ( Perciformes )
Family Cichlidae ( Cichlidae )
Subfamily ( Pseudocrenilabrinae )
Continued…
Genus Pelvicachromis.
— Pelvicachromis humilis [Boulenger, 1916] — Yellow-bellied Kribensis. (Eng- Liberian Red Cichlid, Yellow Kribensis). Southeast Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, up to 12 cm, females smaller. Has several recognized geographical forms. They have a much more elongated body with a long snout. The male is brownish-beige-grey with yellow gill covers and belly, with 7-8 brown transverse body stripes that appear and disappear depending on mood, and a red edge on the unpaired fins. Some geographical forms may have lateral stripes.
The unpaired fins of males usually have a reddish coloration. The caudal fin ranges from rounded to rhomboid; older males develop long rays in the upper part of the caudal fin. Females are silvery-grey with a crimson belly, turquoise gills, and an iridescent silvery-blue border at the top of the caudal fin. The female’s pectoral fins are more rounded than those of the males. Upon maturation, the female’s pink coloration, especially in the belly area, becomes more pronounced and darker, and her pelvic fins turn black.
There are several color varieties depending on geographical habitat. Color morphs include: — P. humilis “Dinkaya”; — P. humilis “Kasawe” – Males have a yellow patch on the belly, females have pink bellies and iridescent light green patches above the gills and behind the pectoral fins. The variety from eastern Guinea has a blue snout, red-orange belly, and black spots on the dorsal and caudal fins; — P. humilis “Liberia Red” – Males have red fins and lack yellow patches on the belly. Females have a brick-red belly, without iridescent light-green spots, but with blue gill covers and a blue caudal fin.
Since this is a large fish, a single pair should be kept in a spacious aquarium. Very high intraspecific aggression, more aggressive than P. pulcher. When introduced, they are timid for a long period and constantly hide in shelters. Spawning caves and refuges are needed, especially for females not ready to spawn. An aquarium with several plant clusters and a few ceramic caves and coconut shells for spawning. Females are more aggressive during the spawning period.
They love clear, oxygen-rich water with a gentle current, so a weekly water change of 25% or even more in volume is recommended. After large water changes, they display their best bright colors and interesting behavior. Prefers softer water than other species in the genus. The basis of their diet should be live and frozen foods, as well as pellets and flakes; they need vegetable supplementation.
Feed with daphnia, artemia, Grindal worms, frozen bloodworms, shrimp, and chopped krill. Pair spawning occurs in a shelter. Parents guard the clutch and fry. The pair will actively defend the cave together and very aggressively attack any fish that approaches closely. Fry grow slowly. pH 5.4-6.8; dH 3-10°; T 24-27°C.
Identification: Yellow-bellied kribensis — Pelvicachromis humilis.
— Pelvicachromis roloffi [Thys & Audenaerde, 1968] — Roloff’s Kribensis. (Eng- Roloff’s Kribensis). East Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia. 8-9 cm. There are several regional color variations, but none of them are brightly colored. The male is light purple, back grey-brown, belly light whitish, gill covers turquoise. The lower part of the head is bright yellow. A dark stripe may run along the body depending on the fish’s condition. At the base of the dorsal fin, it has dark longitudinal stripes.
Unpaired fins are yellow-brown, dorsal fin with numerous dark spots, anal with a dark border, caudal with a dark spot. The belly can be blue with a pink tint. The male has a more streamlined body. The caudal fin is elongated with blue glints. Females are smaller, with a shorter body, greyish-brown with a purple tint, belly purple-crimson. Unpaired fins are yellowish, tail with 3-4 black dots with a white border. Pelvic fins are dark. Dorsal fin grey with a row of dark spots and a golden edge.
Outside of spawning periods, the fish is peaceful and can be kept in a group in community aquariums with related and comparably sized fish. Fish are fed normal live food, flakes, and pellets. They mature at 10-12 months. Fish form stable pairs. Spawning takes place in a cave. Young grow slowly, acquiring full coloration by 1 year. They live up to 4 years. pH 6.5-7.5; dH 8-14°; T 24-27°C.
— Pelvicachromis rubrolabiatus [Lamboj, 2004] — Red-lipped Pelvicachromis. Guinea. Males are mostly rusty red, with seven dark vertical stripes along the entire body length. Fins are colorless, sometimes females have 1-2 dark spots in the dorsal fin. Lips are red, which is reflected in the species name. The caudal fin is rounded, and the dorsal and anal fins are elongated. Females are smaller, with a shorter body, vertical stripes absent. Body is silvery-grey, yellow-pink on the back and belly. Head is dark, almost black with a yellow upper part. Intraspecific aggression is high. Aquarium with many caves. Difficult to keep. Dig heavily in the substrate. pH about 6.5; T about 25°C.
— Pelvicachromis signatus [Lamboj, 2004] — Black-spotted Pelvicachromis. Guinea. Male 10 cm, females smaller. Body color brownish, paler in the throat area. Individuals of both sexes have iridescent blue lines on the cheeks and gill covers. The male has a dark grey horizontal stripe in the middle of the body and eight vertical stripes on the body that are not always visible, appearing depending on the fish’s mood. The male has black dots in the upper part of the dorsal fin, sometimes a black stripe, while the female has red-blue stitches on the dorsal and upper part of the caudal fin.
The female usually has 1 or 2 black spots at the rear of the dorsal fin and a black spot in the middle of the tail. They have a pink or purple belly and iridescent yellow patches on the sides. Aggressive towards conspecifics. A large number of hiding places is advisable. Arrange rocks to form caves, on the ceiling of which females lay eggs. Female and male care for the offspring together. pH 6.0-7.0.
Pelvicachromis sacrimontis, subocellatus, taeniatus.
Pelvicachromis pulcher, kribensis. 
