Cribbin with Mi Kribs

[Mystroe_TheMyst]

i thought i was a rather catchy title, you must have one otherwise you get no replies...

I'm getting some Kribensis tomorrow (not sure what the plural on that is) and I'm in "NEED TO KNOW" mode..

so what are the thing I need to know...i've read up on them...but incase they missed somthing from aquariacentral or another site perhaps, somthing that would be vital for keeping kribs..and plz don't say 'water' lol that woulda been funny though...

and if you keep kribs please tell me what kind of diet they are on and what special things you do for them if any

thanks alot

[Tim Bo]

Take a read here and then post any q's that may come up :
http://hjem.get2net.dk/Best_of_the_Web/intropage.html

I definitely recommend you read about them first before buynig :)

[Jayhawk]

Tim Bo's link is very good. You can also search here or over at www.apistogramma.com (go to forums then search both the General dwarfs and AFrican) for more info. on Kribs.

You know I have a pair in my 20 long. They're eating flakes, frozen bloodworms, sinking shrimp pellets...basically, in the females case, she'll eat anything, anywhere, anytime. The male is still nervous and spends most of his time hiding in caves and makes quick forays out to quickly eat food then jumps back into his cave (the big coward - he's twice the size of the tank's butterfly fish and nearly 3 times the size of the female).

Water params are highly lenient (hard to soft, pH 5.5-about 8). Temps 75-82 are safe.

I've heard they can be shy so some fast dithers are good, but they might kill them during breeding (might not though per several board folks I've heard from). Like I said, my female is one of the most outgoing fish I've ever seen. My male is shy.

I really, really like my tank right now. 3 cherry barbs as dithers (tough enough to survive and too big for the butterfly to eat), one butterfly fish, one bistlenose pleco, and my pair of kribs. The tank is always active in some way (the barbs play in my HOB filters water flow, the butterfly prowls the surface early morning and at dusk, the female krib is all over the place, the spastic pleco makes the rare appearance, and you never know when the male krib is going to dart out in some heroic/cowardly charge/retreat action.

Now, if only the female can get that male krib interested (she has displayed for him a few times...but this only seems to confuse him).

Eric

[Mystroe_TheMyst]

Thanks for that...I'm sure Kribs sound like real fun...Might be getting a pair tonight...What should I look for exactly? Maybe I should read the page b4 I ask questions hey...I am now doing so..well looks like i'm gonna grab a pair..and what exactly a dithers? i'm figuring they are like just other fish thier to give flavour and interest to the tank but are not the "main fish" as i would put it...

Thanks again and i'll keep you guys posted on how they are going once I get them


WOW i'm half way thru reading..well finish up, but i must say THANKS ALOT, Jay was right your link is very good. Thanks yous all around...

*5mins later*

I've just read it and it was quite informative, i know now exactly what to do and to look for...and i know what the dither is now...

thanks again

[Mystroe_TheMyst]

OK I GOT SOME!

the tank has got.....

2 Kribensis (male and female) definatly 1 female
2 algea eaters
misc. dithers (local caught riverstream platy's)
they are feeders and pregnant..so xtra treat for kribs

heat is at 79'F or 26'C and there is lots of water flow from filter and air pump+air stone...

yeah they are so far swimming together and the tank is a bit merky atm I've upset the setup from making caves etc. but should be all sweet and dandy, so far have accepted small amounts of food, I always thought and was told too feed them a little as soon as possible to get them used to the food and locations...

well hopefully all goes well

thanks for your help

[Jayhawk]

Congrats on you new kribs & other fish. Platys make very good dithers - I've used them lots of times, and as you said any fry they have are great for your cichlids.


Man, I'm jealous your kribs are swimming together! The most swimming together mine do is when the male darts out and chase the female for a short distance before he goes and hides again...

[Mystroe_TheMyst]

yeah they are lingering around each other...and the male did a wierd shake thing...only once though, but so far it is looking really good =) plus there are only 2 caves so they end up being together anyway..they are so active at the moment...

but we shall see wont we

Thanks for the congrat's :D I shall keep you informed

[Tim Bo]

Congratulations. It sounds like things are working out relatively smoothly. I am a little concerned about how well the tank is established. Is this tank well cycled? If not, then make sure to take a close look at the ensuing activities of the fish. Any sluggishness, or general 'laziness' may indicate toxic concentrations of ammonia... Water changes will help alleviate the problem. Keep us posted.

Those Kribs will be thankful for the plays' kids and will happily make a snack out of them!

[Mystroe_TheMyst]

thanks....no need to worry about the water quality, they are going just great...I had a crayfish in there before if i mentioned him before. So a little left over food on the bottom, nothing to worry about (not old food, won't be so easily to kill them) they are very fond of each other..but the male nips at the side of the female..is that normal?

other news....the platy in there whos a male type thinks he is big knig and is challenging the male krib lol and the male is targeting him so they are great dithers, i'm thinking this will help cause the male is indirectly protecting the female from this platy who is about 2/3 the males size.

I will do a water change soon, in a few days and do another gravel clean...but I doubt their is anything wrong with my water quality, but thanks for the concern....and* all acting normal no laziness

thanks again

[Mystroe_TheMyst]

Hmmmm My female seems to be doing the dance of love in front of my male krib...she has been doing so for day now and all he seems to be doing is to try and get stuck into the food in the gravel....i've raised the heat slightly to induce mating...but are so far the signs good? He doesn't seem at all interested..

I thought that it was the male who chased the female for some lovin'

any thoughts

[Jayhawk]

I could well be wrong, but I thought with kribs it was the female who initiated spawning.

I wouldn't worry about it. My female still periodically displays for my male, and all he wants to do is chase her out of his territory...so I showed him, I rearranged the tank and made some caves he doesn't fit into comfortably just for the female...Things are now officially more peaceful in the tank.

[Mystroe_TheMyst]

lol, what a awesome way of showing it...I've done the exact same thing except that I've made only 1 cave so they have to hide together....if you go back a few replies you'll find the link to some valuable information, but yes you are right, it is the female...whoops laps in concerntration...its about 2:30am I should've gone to sleep but there was this great movie on....but yeah she wants him, but he doesn't seem to want her...they will learn and i'm glad to hear that things are more peacfull

!http://hjem.get2net.dk/Best_of_the_Web/intropage.html

that link should work....that is the same page as previously mentioned...

will keep you up to date with everything..and hopefully within the next month they will become partners yeay

[Tim Bo]

Excellent Jayhawk. If aggressiveness takes over adding many caves and making sure that some only allow one occupant can help out.

I thought that it was the male who chased the female for some lovin'
Both of them can get horny at will take turn initiating it though it is usually the female IME.
I'm glad you liked the page on Kribs, I wrote it a few years ago and desperately need to update it but just can't get the time. I just got an email from someone who has albino Kribs - 38 of them to be exact! Imagine that!! :)

[Jayhawk]

Tim Bo - Hey I didn't realize that was your page. It's great, and so is the ram page you have, too.

If my couple ever do formerly pair up to spawn, we'll have to see how they do. I have a trio of cherry barbs, a bristlenose pleco and an African Butterfly in there. I know your page recommended against other tank mates in 20 gallon tanks, but I'm hoping my tank being a 20 long (instead of high) might make a difference. I guess I'll just have to wait and see...

I'm glad I've had the chance to tell you how great those two pages are - I've always wanted to do that!

Eric

[DIYMatt]

How big is your tank? I have a heavily planted 75 that had a pair of Pelvicachromis taeniatus (spelling?) a close relative of the krib or type of krib, I don't know which. The female turned all shades of purple and gold and danced all around the male daily. He just looked at her and sat there. I bought these fish as a pair and they were almost always together. I had them do this for over a year with no eggs to show for it. So, I thought he needed a little motivation. So, I bought two juvenile male kribs with the intention of getting females to go with the males and to go into another tank. I put these guys in tank with the taenitatus. That was just what he needed some competition! When the female colored up one of the male kribs came over to her and the male taeniatus chased him all over the tank. From then on he feircely defended his territory and I had many successful spawns in a community tank with them. They were awesome parents! Not a lot of fry would survive after the fry got about 1/8" long. The paents couldn't keep them all protected. Teenagers:) Sadly, I started feeding blackworms at an "experts" suggestion and lost the male (&4 other dwarfs) to some sort of parasite I guess. NO BLACKWORMS!!!!

Which raises a question I have always wondered about. Would the female remate? She is awesome fish. I thought I read they were monogamous.

[Tim Bo]

Jayhawk, thank you for the compliment, I'm glad you could use it:)

The Butterfly fish should do fine with Kribs once they learn it stays at the surface. If not, you have a great excuse to get a bigger tank! The pleco won't be popular as he grows though.

DIYMatt, thank you for that interesting account! I almost want to put it on my webpage.
I've had bad luck a couple times with blackworms before too. I use them rarely but most fish absolutely love them, so when I get them, I rinse them daily and cross my fingers 50% of the time. Taeniatus I want to get more acquainted with but I don't have the space!

My guess is that she will remate - especially if she has lovers to choose from...maybe she just needs a good night out on the town this time!

[Mystroe_TheMyst]

Yeah Tim Bo your site is really exellent, and DIYMatt I was thinking the same thing with adding the extra male, I think if he doesn't get interested soon then I will add another male in there, then take him out once they have nested or spawned...its from what i've heard a 18gal UK...24" long....

They are doing great, and I think maybe insted of adding another krib would it maybe help if I added some more colourful dithers so the male would get "jealous" and then take in the female...I just don't what a dead male krib on my hands if the one I currently have decides he wants some action...

I'm not real keen on adding another krib...how about a gourami or a paradise fish to induce the male to protecting what he thinks is his..(the female)