fish medium level

Pelvicachromis sacrimontis

Sponsored by
Educated by Nature

Green kribensis, Giant kribensis

This cichlid is known only from a small area of southeastern Nigeria. Pelvicachromis sacrimontis is often sold under the name Pelvicachromis pulcher, although Lamboj and Pichler have re-described it as a distinct species. According to Lamboj, the easiest way to distinguish sacrimontis from pulcher is to look at the dorsal fin: female Pelvicachromis pulcher typically have coloured striping in the dorsal fin, but this is absent in female sacrimontis which have a yellow or dusky-coloured dorsal fin.

Submitted by
Benedetta Spelta

Videos

Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type
Fresh water
Water color
Black water
Water transparency
High
Concentration of sediments
Low
Water temperature
25.5 - 28.5 °C
Water flow/curent
Slow

Chemical parameters

pH
5.8 - 6.8
Conductivity
32 - 65
GH
KH
Dissolved Oxygen

Biology

Standard length
10 cm
Water volume (min. aquarium)
100 l
Social behaviour
Lives in pair
Behaviour description

Pelvicachromis sacrimontis can kept in community aquariums with other fish, but they must have their personal hiding place – a small cave, otherwise they can become aggressive towards other aquarium inhabitants aggressive during the breeding period.

Aggression grade
Aggressive/territorial
Activity
Day active
Sexual dimorphism

Pelvicachromis sacrimontis adult males are larger (10cm) then females (7.5-8.5cm). Sexual dimorphism and dichromatism are well developed. First ray of pelvic fin always longest in males, tip of pelvic fin reaching anterior base of anal fin or beyond; in females, first ray of the pelvic fin shorter or of equal length to second ray.

Nutrition in Nature

These cichlids are omnivores.

Reproduction

Breeding tank set-up

Pelvicachromis sacrimontis are dedicated parents. They become aggressive while protecting their young. This aggression is usually not a problem if the aquarium is large enough. Giving a couple their own breeding aquarium with cave is even a better solution.

Nutrition parents

Frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and dried foods

Mating type
Monogamous
Spawning behaviour

This species is a pair bonding cave-spawner. Eggs are guarded by both sexes, but always more intensively and more often by the female.

Breeding habits
Substrate-spawning
Hatching period
72 hours
Number of eggs in average
min. 50 / max. 300
Parental care
Yes
Fry number
variable
Nutrition fry

Their first food is usually tiny organic matter, but they are soon large enough to eat powdered flakes and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Notes on reproduction

Plants and rocks around the cave will help to establish “their” own small territory and avoid claiming the entire aquarium territory for themselves.

Bibliography

  • Bleher’s Biotopes - Imo River by Heiko Bleher
    ISBN 9788890973628

Sitography

→ Fishbase
→ TFH
→ On the validity of Pelvicachromis sacrimontis Paulo, 1977 (Perciformes, Cichlidae), with designation of a neotype, and redescription of the species