Kribia Nana Dwarf Sleeper

Kribia nana is a diminutive sleeper goby (Eleotridae) native to the slow-moving, heavily vegetated lowland rivers and forest streams of West and Central Africa, including the Niger Delta region and Congo basin tributaries. As the smallest member of its genus, it rarely exceeds 3 cm in total length, making it one of the tiniest eleotrid gobies in the world. Males are subtly more colourful than females, with iridescent blue-green speckling on a brown-grey body, and display characteristic head-bobbing territorial behaviour. This species inhabits extremely shallow, soft, and slightly acidic blackwater habitats with dense leaf litter and submerged vegetation, conditions that should be replicated in captivity for best results. It is a micro-predator, feeding on tiny invertebrates, microcrustaceans, and insect larvae. Rarely imported but occasionally available through specialist West African fish breeders and aquarists.

Water: 23–27 °C, pH 6.0–7.0, GH 1–8, KH 1–5; soft, slightly acidic blackwater conditions; peat filtration beneficial. Tank: 30 L minimum; dense planting, leaf litter (Indian almond leaves), driftwood, and dim lighting; minimal flow. Feeding: Micro-carnivore; small frozen cyclops, daphnia, micro-worms, and baby brine shrimp; very small prey items essential. Breeding: Cave spawner; small clutches under leaves or in pipes; male guards eggs; fry need infusoria and micro-worms. Compatibility: Peaceful; keep only with comparably tiny, non-aggressive species such as nano tetras or microdevario.