A Few Kribensis Questions

[Craster]

I am planning on stocking a newly cycled 180l community tropical tank with the following, and I have a few questions about the Kribensis

5 Zebra Danios
3 Guppies
6 Neon Tetras
2 Kribensis
4 Otos
1 Cameroon Armoured Shrimp


Are fish shops likely to be able to provide Kribensis that have already paired? Do they tend to know enough to pick out a pair that is already established?

How sensitive to water quality are Kribs? I know that the recommendation on the Otos and the Neons is to wait several months before adding them to a tank, but what's the view on the Kribensis?

Looking elsewhere it seems that if I add the Kribs before adding any other bottom dwellers, the Kribs may 'claim' the whole bottom of the tank and be very agressive to the otos and the shrimp when I add them. Any truth to that?

Thanks for any info

 

[LolaLouie]

It is very unlikely that a shop will provide an established pair of kribs, some say that if you watch the tank you can see who are paired up but IMO the tanks are far to small in fish shops for any territories or pairing to occur. You can get established pairs from private sellers though, if a breeding pair they are usually more expensive.

Generally if you get a nice healthy looking male and healthy looking female they will pair up, kribs aren't as fussy as some other cichlids about their mates. They may chase eachother for a bit but should eventually settle.

I wouldn't put kribs in a newly cycled tank, I would give it a month or 2 but again they are not as difficult as some other cichlids such as German Rams.

As for kribs and corys I have never had a problem of the 2 together even when the corys stumble into the kribs cave (their established territory). there may be a little chasing and fin nipping but personally i haven't seen any of this.

As for the shrimp or otos I def don't think you'll have a problem with them, my kribs don't even notice my shrimps or otos exist.

Add the danios, wait a little while and slowly introduce the rest. remember to include caves in your set up for the kribs.

Good luck

 

[Craster]

Great info, thanks.

 

[kribensis12]

Shops almost never give establsihed pairs, and you never know if your getting ripped off or not. I would go and buy 4 juvie's and let them pair of nautrally. I personally ahvent ever had the mone yto buy that many ( i have once or twice) i just uslaly buy a male and a female and they pair off with out problems, but females can be quite picky if you dont get them a good male. Kribensis dont really care about water quality as long is it isnt something outrageous like a little ammonia or nitrate, and nitrate like 100 or something. I wouldnt put otto's in with them or any corries, as my kribs have killed or severly stressed out any kind of bottom dweller, except plecos. The shrimp will be eaten, they love shrimp! They might eat the tetra's too, i've had mine kill danio's also. I would plan on re-thinking your stocking. Your could probably stick with the guppies, then get some mollies, swoprds and platies, and some lemon tetra's, as they are to big to get killed by the kribs, and maybe some Apistogramma's like Cockatoo's. Bu ti would defo add the cockatoo's around a week or 2 before the kribs as the kribs are more aggressive and will take the tank for themselves.

 

[LolaLouie]

Wow you've had some aggressive kribs!! I guess it's personal experience. I personally think you'd be absolutely fine with your planned stock but I guess if some people have experiences such as kribensis12 it may be advisable to listen to a few people's experience good and bad.

My tank is 200l so just a bit bigger than yours and my stocking is listed below and I have no problems!

 

[Craster]

Hmm - now I don't know what to think. Does anyone else have experience of one side or the other? Thanks!

 

[LolaLouie]

If I were you I'd stock my tank with everything but the kribs, see how you feel then, if you still want kribs get a young pair and add them last. I think if all the other fish are in there 1st and you get juvie kribs then you wont have a problem... I added adult kribs and I still don't have a problem... I have actually found my cockatoo cichlids to be more aggressive than my kribs.

I'd just get the kribs, if it goes horribly wrong (which as long as your tank is planted with plenty of hiding space I'm sure it wont) you can always return the kribs.

Good Luck