Kribs are a very popular fish that even beginners can keep well. They do well in community fish tanks, adjust to harsh conditions, and remain playful all their lives.
So, you may want more and more of them! If you have too many of them, you may overstock and suffocate them.
Now, what can you do? You can have a lot of kribs in your tank, but that depends on the size of your fish tank.
In this article, I will guide you through everything you need to know about the number of kribs you can keep in your tank and more!
Aquarium Size Chart for Kribs
Kribensis do not grow very big, and they do well in groups, so you don’t need a very large tank. Nonetheless, the size of the tank matters since it can impact their behavior and stress levels.
You can keep them small 10G tanks, but I recommend keeping at least a 20G tank. With larger tanks, you can create a more peaceful and lively community aquarium ecosystem.
| Tank Size | How many Kribs can fit? |
|---|---|
| 2.5-gallon tank | One or two fish |
| 3-gallon tank | One or two fish |
| 5-gallon tank | One or two fish |
| 9-gallon tank | Two kribs |
| 10-gallon tank | Two kribs |
| 15-gallon tank | Two or three fish |
| 20-gallon tank | Five fish |
| 29-gallon tank | 6 to 7 fish |
| 30-gallon tank | 6 to 7 fish |
| 36-gallon tank | 8 to 9 fish |
| 40-gallon tank | Ten kribs |
| 55-gallon tank | 13 to 14 fish |
| 60-gallon tank | 15 kribs |
What Size Tank Do They Need?
Both species of fish are dwarf, and they only grow about 4 inches. In addition, they have a slim body, so you can apply the golden rule tank sizing.
When you do so, you will have to consider one inch of fish for 1 gallon of water. Then, you will get the following formula:
Total number of kribs you can keep in the tank = Water (in gallons) / Fish size (in inches)
What Happens When Too Many Kribs Are Put in a Small Gallon Tank?
Firstly, overstocking Kribs can suffocate them. Although they are peaceful creatures, kribs exhibit territorial behavior. If you overcrowd them, they can become aggressive.
Apart from that, you will have to deal with tank contamination due to excess waste. This can impact your fish’s health negatively.
What Happens When There Are Too Few Kribs in a Large Gallon Tank?
Kribs will do well in groups so, it is better to house them together. If you keep too few fish in a large tank, they may get bored and less active. It can stress them out in the long term and lead to side effects such as swimming on odd patterns and rubbing on gravels and rocks.
FAQs
How Many Kribs Should Be Present per Gallon of Water?
You can keep one or two fish in a 5 gallons fish tank. Anything smaller than that can’t provide the fish the space and company it requires.
Can You Overstock on Kribs?
You shouldn’t overstock on kribs since it can make them aggressive and stress them out. In worst cases, they may even die.
What Is the Minimum Size of a Tank for Kribs?
20G is the minimum tank size for Kribs. However, I’d recommend you go with 30G or more since it can accommodate their territorial behavior, especially during the breeding season.
Do Kribs Need to Be In Groups?
Yes, they need to be in a group of 4 or 6. It would be best if you keep the male and female ratio at 50/50.
How Fast Does Kribs Grow?
Kribensis can mature in just six months. Typically, female fish mature faster than their male counterparts.
Do Kribs Need Decor/Hiding Places?
Yes, like most other fish, they like hiding places. Besides, they are active creatures who would enjoy some decor items and spits in the tank.
Do Kribs Need Live Plants?
Yes, they need live plants. Some of them include hornwort, moneywort, java fern, anubia nana, and narrow leaf.
Kribensis: An Overview
Kribensis, simply known as kribs, are a number of freshwater species that belong to the genus Pelvicachromis. They are generally peaceful, low-maintenance, and lively. Even though they are calm creatures, they are very active, so you can watch them by the aquarium all day.
These dwarf breed fish are captive-bred, so you can find them everywhere. They are endemic to coastal Cameroon and Southern Nigeria. This unique habitat makes them tough and one of the hardiest fish you can keep.
The male fish usually grow up to 3 to 4 inches under healthy conditions, whereas the female fish can grow up to 2.5 to 3 inches. Plus, they can live for about 5 to 6 years.
Different Types of Kribs
There are currently about eleven different species of this genus. However, there are only two species that are common among fish keepers. They are: Kribensis and Striped Kribensis.
Kribensis, Pelvicachromis pulcher, is the most popular species among the two. They are generally yellow, white, or cream.
They have red-colored stomachs with a black stripe running along with them. Further, their fins usually have eye-catching hues such as orange, yellow, blue, and purple.
Striped Kribensis or Pelvicachromis taeniatus have a darker color than the other species. Plus, their scales are iridescent with orange and black spits.
Final Words
Kribs have unique and colorful patterns on them, which makes them more spectator-worthy. Plus, they thrive in community fish tanks. So, they are very popular among fish keepers.
With all this information, it’s time to introduce kribs into your aquarium!
