are kribensis friendly?

[Automaize]

I am setting up a 45 gallon community tank(gouramies,danios,rosy barbs,Otto cats so far) I know the general rule is that african cichlids should only live with African cichlids, as they are aggressive. But I saw these Kribensis aka Nigerian cichlids at my lfs and they are usually very good and knowledgeable, and they said that they would do well in a community tank, and are pretty mellow, for a cichlid. Anybody have any experience with these guys. They are very cool fish, and id love to add a couple to my tank, but I dont want to harm the community fish.

[mizzoutank]

I hope you mean Gourami* as in singluar version of that.

unless you have it extremely planted/segregated I don't believe it'll work in a 45gallon.

Reason: I had a Dwarf gourami in my 45, and the entire tank was his, all the other fish were in his area and he did not like it.

as you are looking at that, you should decide either the 1 gourami, or a 1/2 kribs.

i wouldn't suggest the combo, or one will kill the other.

[jeffs99dime]

Your lfs should have told you the Kribs could do well and not would. I agree with mizzoutank about the gourami also. All cichlids are territorial by nature, some more than others though. The Kribs get to be about 3-4 inches when adults- keep that in mind. They like to hang out in the lower reaches of the tank, IME with my 55 gallon.

[steeler1]

As far as Chiclids go they are fairly peaceful but they will still set up territories and become aggresive if they are breeding. As was pointed out above they are still Chiclids.

[Indian Woods Angels]

Well...there are more than 20 forms of Western African Kribensis forms. The most common one can become fairly aggressive at breeding time but other forms tend to be more diminutive and smaller.

I have had several of the lesser aggressive forms in my collections over the years. They can be extremely hard to locate.

Without knowing exactly what sub species you might have it is hard to answer this question.

[steeler1]

I didn't know their were that many sub-speices, I knew there were a few. Good information.

[Automaize]

The tank is heavily planted, and I do have 2 gouramies in there now, and they do great together. Sounds like I'd be pushing my luck to add the kribs right now though. As far as the subspecies, all I know is that they are Nigerian. Not sure if that helps. thanks everybody for the tips!!

[Indian Woods Angels]

If they are the ones that most people commonly refer to as Kribs they are about as aggressive as breeder angels. Not tough enough to hang with rift lake types or Central American types..

[steeler1]

IWA; where does the Striped Dwarf Cichlid Pelvicachromis Taeniatus fit in as far as temperment? I like them because they are a little different looking than other Kribs. I've never seen them in any store to be honest with you, only pictures.