The “krib” is one of the most common and easy to keep of the constellation of Pelmatochromis/Pelvicachromis genera in the hobby. This fish is very hardy, adapt to almost any water conditions and will breed in wet cotton. Only the convict cichlid is on a par with the krib for being easy to breed. And, like the convict, the krib will spawn and raise its babies in a community tank, much to the suffering and discomfort of the rest of the tankmates.

Males have long extensions to the dorsal and anal fins, and females — especially when they are in a breeding mood — get bright reddish bellies. If you have a pair in a community tank and they start showing their breeding colors, they will soon have all the other fish in the tank cornered. They spawn in caves, so you should provide them with an upturned flowerpot, a coconut shell or something where the entrance is small and the ceiling is pretty low. It takes about a week for the babies to become free-swimming, at which point the parents will lead their new offspring around the tank, pointing them in the direction of possible food and keeping intruders at bay.