''Pelvicachromis'' is a genus of small (), brightly coloured

cichlid Cichlids are fish from the family Cichlidae in the order Cichliformes. Cichlids were traditionally classed in a suborder, the Labroidei, along with the wrasses ( Labridae), in the order Perciformes, but molecular studies have contradicted this ...

s from tropical West Africa and Central Africa. They typically inhabit soft, acidic water ( pH 5.6 – 6.9). All species form monogamous pairs and use caves as spawning sites. Most are easily spawned in captivity with adequate water quality.

Species

There are currently 11 recognized species in this genus: * '' Pelvicachromis drachenfelsi'' Lamboj, Bartel & dell’Ampio, 2014 * '' Pelvicachromis humilis''

Boulenger Boulenger is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Benjamin Boulenger (born 1990), French footballer * Edward George Boulenger (1888–1946), British zoologist, director of aquarium at London Zoo * George Albert Boulenger (1858–1 ...

, 1916 * '' Pelvicachromis kribensis''

, 1911 * '' Pelvicachromis pulcher''

, 1901 (Rainbow Kribensis) * '' Pelvicachromis roloffi'' Thys van den Audenaerde, 1968 * '' Pelvicachromis rubrolabiatus'' Lamboj, 2004 * '' Pelvicachromis sacrimontis'' Paulo, 1977 (Often mislabelled as ''P. pulcher'') * '' Pelvicachromis signatus'' Lamboj, 2004 * '' Pelvicachromis silviae'' Lamboj, 2013 * '' Pelvicachromis subocellatus'' Günther, 1872 * '' Pelvicachromis taeniatus''

, 1901

Natural Environment

''Pelvicachromis'' species inhabit both slow and fast-moving waters in the wild but are only found present in these Central & West African watercourses near to dense underwater vegetation. The water in ''Pelvicachromis'' natural environment usually stays around 75° to 79 °F (24° to 26 °C). All described species in the genus have evolved with adaptability at the fore; water quality parameters can vary drastically within this dwarf-cichlids natural range. A species inhabiting different environments and arbitrary alterations must be able to cope with diverse habitats.

In the aquarium

''Pelvicachromis'' comprise part of the arbitrary group aquarists refer to as " dwarf cichlids". They are relatively peaceful cichlids which can be housed with other species in planted, heated tanks. ''Pelvicachromis'' are cave-spawners and will lay their eggs in any cave-like structure such as a clay pot, PVC pipe, coconut shell, etc. The female will initiate the spawning, often displaying or vibrating in front of the male. The female will deposit 50–300 eggs in the cave and the pair will guard the eggs. The eggs hatch in 3–8 days and become free swimming in 5–10 days. There are yellow, blue, red morphological variations found in the tropical fish hobby; these morphs are a product of natural local population variation.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q134263 Chromidotilapiini Cichlid genera