Adults feed on worms, crustaceans and insects . In the river Sombreiro (Nigeria) observed to mainly feed on diatoms, algae, higher plants and detritus . Pair bonding , cave-spawning , substrate brooder . Aquarium keeping: in pairs; minimum aquarium size 80 cm .
Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6 - 8. Diagnosis: body elongate, moderately compressed, its depth 28.4-36.8% of standard length; head length 27.8-34.5% of standard length; 4-5 rows of monocuspid teeth in jaws; dorsal fin usually with spots or bands, dark posteriorly; lower part of body often reddish in life . Black mid-lateral band extends over caudal fin; base of dorsal fin heavily pigmented dark grey or black . : fusiform / normal.
Behavioural data for Rainbow krib is currently being reviewed.
Despite the suggestion in some aquarium literature that the species feeds on worms, crustaceans, and insects, analysis of the stomach contents of wild P. pulcher suggests this is incorrect. A study by Nwadiaro (1985) of 161 individuals showed that the main food items were diatoms, green algae, pieces of higher plants, along with blue-green algae. Invertebrates, though consumed, were found to be relatively uncommon food items for wild fish.
Spawns in caves.
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; pH range: 5.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19; non-migratory . Tropical; 24°C - 25°C ; 10°N - 4°N
worms, crustaceans and insects (Ref
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Bone Back · Common Krib · Kribensis · Pink Krib · Purple cichlid · Rainbow Cichlid · Tilapia · rainbow krib |
| 🌍AFR | Kribs |
| 🌍CES | pestřenec červený |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Kongecichlide |
| 🇩🇪German | Königsbuntbarsch · Königscichlide · Purpurprachtbarsch |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | Palettikala |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Barwniak Czerwonobrzuchy |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Ciclídeo-multicolorido |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Пёстрый попугайчик |
| 🇸🇪Swedish | Palettcichlid |
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelmatochromis aureocephalus | Meinken | 1960 | Synonym |
| Pelmatochromis aurocephalus | Meinken | 1960 | Synonym |
| Pelmatochromis camerunensis | Thys van den Audenaerde | 1968 | Synonym |
| Pelmatochromis pulcher | Boulenger | 1901 | Synonym |
| Pelvicachromis sacramontis | Paulo | 1977 | Synonym |
| Pelvicachromis sacrimontis | Paulo | 1977 | Synonym |
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 61 records indexed .
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