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Kribensis tank mates and minimum tank size

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Kribensis grow to 11 cm (4.3 in). They are shy and do best with calm tank mates of similar size. They need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F) and pH 5.0–7.5.

Minimum tank

71 L (19 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long

Adult size

11 cm (4.3 in)

Temperature

24–25 °C (75–77 °F)

pH

pH 5.0–7.5

Group

no minimum

Kribensis minimum tank size

Kribensis need at least 71 L (19 US gal), in a tank at least 60 cm (24 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 11 cm (4.3 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (44 cm (17 in)).

Kribensis tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against kribensis by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (24)

• Black neon tetra
• Black skirt tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Cardinal tetra
• Cherry barb
• Common pleco
• Congo tetra
• Glass catfish
• Glowlight tetra
• Guppy
• Harlequin rasbora
• Honey gourami
• Kuhli loach
• Lemon tetra
• Neon tetra
• Nerite snail
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Pearl gourami
• Platy
• Red tail shark
• Rummy-nose tetra
• Siamese algae eater
• Swordtail

With care (16)

• BettaThe only temperature that suits both is 24.4–25 °C (76–77 °F), set by bettas and kribensis. That leaves no margin. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as kribensis, many do not.
• Bronze corydorasThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by bronze corydoras and kribensis. That leaves no margin.
• Celestial pearl danioCelestial pearl danios (2.1 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger kribensis (11 cm).
• Chili rasboraThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by chili rasboras and kribensis. That leaves no margin. Chili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger kribensis (11 cm).
• Clown loachThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by clown loaches and kribensis. That leaves no margin. Clown loaches nip and chase; shy kribensis are likely targets. Kribensis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin. Kribensis fight other cichlids, and cockatoo dwarf cichlids are one of them. Cockatoo dwarf cichlids fight other cichlids, and kribensis are one of them.
• Dwarf gouramiThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by dwarf gouramis and kribensis. That leaves no margin.
• Ember tetraEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger kribensis (11 cm).
• Endler's livebearerEndler's livebearers (2.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger kribensis (11 cm).
• MollyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.5, set by mollies and kribensis. That leaves no margin.
• Mystery snailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.2–7.5, set by mystery snails and kribensis. That leaves no margin.
• Pygmy corydorasPygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger kribensis (11 cm).
• Serpae tetraSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy kribensis are likely targets.
• Tiger barbTiger barbs nip and chase; shy kribensis are likely targets. Kribensis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous tiger barbs.
• Yoyo loachYoyo loaches nip and chase; shy kribensis are likely targets. Kribensis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous yoyo loaches.
• Zebra danioThe only temperature that suits both is 24 °C (75 °F), set by kribensis and zebra danios. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (12)

• AngelfishAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); kribensis need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Kribensis fight other cichlids, and angelfish are one of them.
• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); kribensis need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Kribensis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Cherry shrimpKribensis grow to 11 cm, big enough to eat adult cherry shrimp (4 cm).
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so kribensis would be harassed. Kribensis fight other cichlids, and convict cichlids are one of them.
• DiscusDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); kribensis need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Kribensis fight other cichlids, and discus are one of them.
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); kribensis need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Kribensis fight other cichlids, and German blue rams are one of them. German blue rams fight other cichlids, and kribensis are one of them.
• GoldfishKribensis need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Kribensis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; kribensis grow to 11 cm. Kribensis fight other cichlids, and oscars are one of them. Kribensis (11 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger oscars (46 cm).
• Paradise fishKribensis need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Peppered corydorasKribensis need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Rosy barbKribensis need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• White cloud mountain minnowKribensis need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank