Dither fish for kribs

[midmichman80]

I have a pair of kribs in a standard 29 gallon tank. It is moderately planted with several hiding places scattered. I was wondering what other type of fish I would be able to house with the pair. They have not bred yet, but her belly is really purple and some digging is going on. They are pretty shy right now, coming out of hiding seldomly and for seamingly no reason at all. What fish would go well with this pair and assume that they will breed eventually and may become aggressive. Looking for suggestions, thanks.

 

[ishar]

Something small and fast that will be able to swim away from the kribs if they attack and able to hide when needed. Small tetras would be fine I would think.

 

[big54bob]

TIGER BARBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There fast there big and there perfect.

 

[unwritten law]

That's what I was gonna say. Tiger barbs would be perfect for you cause they are very active, fast and sometimes even used as dither fish for convicts. They keep my tank very active. Other barbs should work too but I think tigers are the coolest and most active.

 

[midmichman80]

Good thoughts, how many would you suggest for my tank? Not really small, but fast and should be able to hold their own.

 

[unwritten law]

5-6 or so is about right

 

[marvin]

"kribs" cover several different size and temperament of the species wonder why no one ask what kind of kribs but i am sure you got some good advice...

 

[Orion]

In my experience it's unusual to find anything other than Pelvachromis pulcher at most LFS's. If you did want another species of 'krib', you about have to go though private breeders or importers. So I don't find it difficult to assume that the fish in question when people just refer to "kribs" as P. pulcher.

I wouldn't do tiger barbs, IMHO. To feisty. This does sound rather callous but the point of dither fish is to provide the shyer fish with other fish to feel more comfortable, but tiger barbs I don't will do that well in a small tank like that. Danios would not be as nippy nor would be as curious about what the kribs were up too, but still just be out and about. Also for the most part they are fast and might just be able to survive a spawning OK.

 

[unwritten law]

danios are another good option.

 

[midmichman80]

Good thoughts all, I like the discussion. Yes, the kribs in question are P. pulcher. I had planned on ordering some CPDs for my 30g setup, but they might become food for the kribs. Any other type of danios you might suggest, I don't really want anything to take away from the attractiveness of the kribs, but I suppose most danios are as pretty as the CPDs.

 

[midmichman80]

Glowlight Danios look good to me. Max size is 1.5" though, too small?

 

[midmichman80]

Well, I took a risk and purchased eight 1" cardinal tetras for this tank. The addition immediately triggered the male to color up on his belly and lateral line. The female has made a charge at a couple single tetra, but both seem rather intimidated by the group and will not charge at more then just a straggler fish and only in front of "their" cave. The couple charges made seems to keep the shoal tighter. Hope it is a good combo, what are your thoughts?

 

[midmichman80]

I am going to say it was a good addition. Two weeks after adding the tetras, I have a ton of fry in the tank and still have the original 8 cardinals with them. She has had great color since I added them and they play in the sword plant, each picking out a leaf to perch on.

Great stuff!!!!