Pelvicachromis roloffi

Pelvicachromis roloffi inhabits small, soft-water forest streams in Sierra Leone and Guinea, making it one of the westernmost members of the krib group. It is more elongated and slender than P. pulcher, with a beautifully spotted dorsal and caudal fin and a subtle pink-peach ventral tint in females — less flamboyant than some locales but highly elegant in a well-appointed planted tank.

Breeding behaviour is typical for the genus: the pair selects a cave, spawns on the interior surface, and both parents defend the territory. P. roloffi tends to be slightly less aggressive during breeding than P. taeniatus forms, making it easier to keep in a community where dither fish are present.

Soft, acidic water is non-negotiable for long-term health and reproductive success — pH 5.0–6.8, low conductivity, and warm temperatures around 24–27°C. Blackwater-style décor with Indian almond leaves, peat filtration, and driftwood mimics the species' natural habitat.

Water: 24–27°C, pH 5.0–6.8, very soft (GH 1–8, KH 1–4); Indian almond leaves or peat filtration beneficial. Tank: 80 L minimum; blackwater-style with driftwood, leaf litter, and caves on a dark substrate. Feeding: Micro pellets, quality flake, and abundant small live or frozen foods — brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops. Breeding: Cave-spawner; pair less aggressive than other krabs, but remove non-dither fish when fry appear. Compatibility: Peaceful with small, soft-water tetras; avoid hard-water species and fin-nippers.