Agressive Kribs

[Wyld-Fyre]

Enjoy my (3x) Kribs, but have only one problem to raise. From what I've seen/read through these forums/internet sites, it has often been said that Kribs are a community fish. So, why're mine so touchy? Not only would they pick on each other, but other fishes also, such as the recently deceased (2x) platties. They're not new to the tank, and they're fed well (enough). Is this a stage they're going through, you know, establishiing dominance or are all the sites I've seen wrong? My solution was to introduce (1x) Bala Shark into the equation. Which I'd hoped would establish stability over the fish community. The Kribs aren't overly convinced at my ploy!

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Well,

Many would actually say that kribs are not good community fish and it often depends on the individual. It also depends on genender and a lot on tank size. I am presuming as you got a bala that you have a big tank? Kribs are cichlids and all cichlids are aggressive, just some more than others. I have one female who is very aggressive and was in her own tank for a few months until I had to put her in my smaller community tank, she is now fine but was very aggressive. If you have 2 genders you will be likely to have problems with mating and a pair does not generally tollerate there being another. I couldn't keep 4 kribs (2 male and 2 female) in a 320litre tank.

 

[Wyld-Fyre]

The 'leader' Krib has calmed down a fraction since the introduction of the much bigger Bala (a young 'un at 3'' ono to her 1.5'' ono)...... have done my fish/space ratio. I think the only way to really calm her down (yes, its a girl Krib) is to seperate her from all the others. Then at a later date re-introduce her to her new/old chums/enemies.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

OK,

Well, you didn't really answer any of my questions to be honest. What are the genders of your kribs, I have got that you have an aggressive female but what about the other 2? If you have a male and a female pair and an additional one (a female is worse I find) then you will always have problems. You have not said what the tank size is, as I said I couldn't keep 4 in a 320l/84US gallon which I think is pretty big. Do you know that balas get to 12" and are schooling, needing a tank of 6ft as they grow? Also, IMO cichlids and balas might not be a good idea as balas are generally timid.

You may want to do more research. I can't hep you until I know more about your set-up.

 

[Grams]

aret kribs a new world chichlid not a african so if theres anymore questions on your kribs ask them in the new world chichlid forum

 

[Snuff]

aret kribs a new world chichlid not a african so if theres anymore questions on your kribs ask them in the new world chichlid forum

Nope, kribs are definately african.

 

[jumpman]

kribs are most certainly african!! Cheese is right, more info on gender and tank size needed....if you have had 3 for quite a while as you stated, and there is not a pair that picks on the odd one out, that would suggest they are all one sex.

Is this intentional?

jump

 

[Wyld-Fyre]

Hi all,

Apologies 'Cheese Specialist,' it was getting rather late last night, so wanted to cut down on the chit-chat.

Kribs: Two females (dark pink spot on belly), One male (very light pink spot on belly). The largest Krib is the female who is also the most aggressive. She is also the pinkest-bellied. Ready to mate?

Introduced the bala into the tank (70ltr) from another tank (70ltr) where it was with 2x Yo-Yo's and 3x White Cloud's.

Yes, I am aware that the Bala can grow anything up to 14'' ono, but from the site I've checked out (http/www.aquazoo.co.uk), it states "The Silver Shark can grow to 36cm but seldom exceeds 13cm when kept in an aquarium.''

In addition, website 'http/####.co.uk' states that Krib's are from 'Lower Nigeria' (Africa).

I'm thinking of removing the big female Krib to an isolation tank till she cools down.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

You will always have problems. You might be better to remove the larger female for good. Females are often very aggressive to males that are smaller or the same size as them. Also, you are liekyl to end up with a pair and they will kill the other female.

Being a certain colour doesn't mean that the female is ready to mate, she will get more rounded at this time and the male will usually get very colourful too. the female will also show off her red belly to the male and they will shudder at each other.

I am afraid that the information you found on balas is worng, at least to a certain degree. 12" is the norm for balas in a tank. 13cm is only 5" and I for one see balas much bigger than that all the time, perhaps it is that the fish are stunted from not being in a good enough sized tank and die an early death? Also, they are schooling and need to have at least 2 mates.

Moving the largest female should be enough to sort out the situation providing there are no other cichlids in the tank and it is big enough to curb their natural aggression.

Hope this Helps

 

[Wyld-Fyre]

I am tempted to say, 'who knows how big they can grow in the tank,' but I won't. Darn, too late! So until the lone 'male' (Krib) gets bigger I intend to leave the Bala in there. So far, it has had the desired effect of dampening the 'enthusiasm of the leading Krib, and so that is fine by me.

Thanks for your help anyway because it is always appreciated.

PS Why'd you call yourself 'Cheese Specialist?'

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I am tempted to say, 'who knows how big they can grow in the tank,'

How do you mean? Not the old, fish only grow to the size of their tanks routine? They really do grow that big, I am not pretending!

My name is Cheese Specialist because I couldn't get a username on Yahoo and had to think of something no-one else would have!! No-one had Cheese Specialist strangely enough!! I use it everywhere now.

 

[Wyld-Fyre]

Nope, I wouldn't take that easy route...it's like putting my head in the sand. No, what I mean is once my Kribs have settled down a jot more, then I'd consider taking the Bala out to a tank of its own, or perhaps re-share with the 2x Yo-Yo's and 3x White Clouds.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

No, what I mean is once my Kribs have settled down a jot more, then I'd consider taking the Bala out to a tank of its own, or perhaps re-share with the 2x Yo-Yo's and 3x White Clouds.

But what are you going to do about the adult size and need to shoal of the bala? And also about the fact that you will always have problems in my experience with 2 females and one male krib.

 

[Wyld-Fyre]

For the moment the Bala shall stay put. Once the leading Krib has gotten used to a bigger fish being in the tank, maybe then she'll decide to make time for breeding. If she still persists in being a nuisance to herself, then I will remove her to another tank.

In the meantime, the Kribs are being fed well (enough), so hopefully I won't have too long to wait for the male Krib to grow to a bigger size. Maybe then one of the females will choose him. Until then, poor fellow.

As for the Bala growing to a large/r size, then in time, I will find out whether that prescribed website was true or not. If it still stays small then it shall stay in the 70ltr. If it grows to anything nearing 6'' or more, as suggested, I'll buy a bigger tank and then add additional Bala.

I shall publish my findings in this forum when I have more conclusive results.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

And the fact that if 2 kribs do pair up they'll kill the other one? You are saying about one website with the bala because it's what you want to hear. Maybe you should post in the Cyprinid and Characin section and see what they concensus is.

Nope, I wouldn't take that easy route...it's like putting my head in the sand.

You reckon? Seems to me you are doing exactly that. Sorry. You are saying you will put the bala in a 70l (which is only 18US gallons) and say you will move it if it grows to 6". It will be stunted out of all recognition and will never reach that size healthily in a 18gallon!

I can already tell you what your findings will be, if only you would listen.