Pelvicachromis taeniatus 'Dehane'

Pelvicachromis taeniatus 'Dehane' is collected from streams in the Dehane area of coastal Cameroon. Males display a gold-to-olive body with a dark lateral stripe and metallic fin highlights; females are rounder-bodied and flush a brilliant raspberry-pink to violet ventrally when in spawning condition.

Like all P. taeniatus forms, Dehane krabs are obligate cave-spawners with highly territorial breeding pairs. The pair defends a tight territory around the chosen cave, with the female guarding the eggs inside while the male patrols the perimeter. Once the fry become free-swimming, both parents escort them actively for several weeks.

Soft, slightly acidic water replicating the coastal forest streams of Cameroon is ideal — pH 5.5–7.0 with low to moderate hardness. A well-planted 80 L aquarium with multiple coconut-shell caves gives the pair choice and reduces aggression.

Water: 24–27°C, pH 5.5–7.0, soft to moderately hard (GH 2–12, KH 1–6). Tank: Minimum 80 L; provide several caves and dense planting to break sightlines between pairs. Feeding: Quality micro pellets, flake, and regular frozen or live brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworm. Breeding: Cave-spawner; female guards eggs inside cave while male defends territory — remove other fish when fry appear. Compatibility: Best with small, fast-moving dither fish such as tetras or rasboras; avoid other bottom-dwelling cichlids.