17 Suitable Kribensis Tank Mates: Fishy Friends Forever

Looking for some new fishy friends to add to the tank?

Search no further because we are here to show you some of the most compatible Kribensis tank mates of all time. 

So, put on your trusty fins, we’re going on a fintastic journey for some new best friends!

17 Best Kribensis Tank Mates 

Kribensis cichlids are known as a semi-aggressive fish species that likes to nip on fellow tank mates. But they don’t want to pick a fight. 

These fish are pretty peaceful when no one disturbs them and when they are not in the breeding phase. Here are some tank mates that totally understand their personality!

1. Swordtail

First and foremost, let me introduce you to Swordtails that make good tank mates for Kribensis. The reason why they go so well together is because both of these species have peaceful temperaments, so they don’t mind each other’s presence. Moreover, both are very easy to take care of and they love to swim around and explore the aquarium. 

However, you should keep in mind that male Swordtails can be a bit territorial. But, no worries. This species occupies different tank areas than Kribensis, so they won’t have any territorial disputes. 

That being said, it is very important to have a spacious tank, as you may not be able to fit a large number of fish in a 5-gallon tank. 

2. Dwarf Cichlid

Next up, we have Dwarf Cichlids that are not only beautiful, but also very social and outgoing, making them a great choice for Kribensis tank mates. 

They are called “Dwarfs” due to their small size. Even though they are so small, the Kribensis won’t see them as prey because these little fellas are packed with big personalities and unique behaviors.  

Despite their big personalities, they are not as aggressive as other cichlid species, which is why they are less likely to get into an argument or a fight with your Kribensis fish. You can choose between many beautiful Dwarf Cichlid species such as:

• German Blue Ram
• Golden Dwarf
• Umbrella cichlid

Plus, they tend to be less aggressive than other cichlid species, which means they are less likely to pick a fight with our beloved Kribensis. 

3. Molly

Molly fish are fun, lively, colorful, and always up for making new friends. Just like Kribensis cichlids, they are very peaceful, which means that you won’t have any issues in the tank. 

One of the best things about Molly fish is that you can choose over 10 variantes:

• Balloon Belly Molly
• Creamsicle Sailfin Lyretail Molly
• Black Molly 
• Dalmatian Molly
• Black Sailfin Molly
• Black Lyretail Molly  

Not only will they make good Kribensis tank mates, but Mollies are also considered fish that eat poop, which is why they make great cleaners too. 

To live in peace and harmony, both species need proper tank setup and quality water parameters. 

It is important to provide them with a spacious tank as a small tank may not be enough for both species to peacefully thrive in. 

4. Harlequin Rasbora

If you are looking for some friendly neighbors for your Kribensis, look no further than the mesmerizing Harlequin Rasboras! 

These fish are very entertaining to watch because they are very active and simply beautiful! They inherit the most timid personalities which is why they get along well with most tank critters alike. 

When it comes to Rasboras, they like to swim in groups of eight to ten, which is called schooling behavior. A school of a few of these colorful fish really makes you want to look at the tank all day long. 

The best thing is that you don’t have to only choose harlequin ones, as all Rasboras morphs will behave nicely towards the Kribensis cichlids. 

Scissortail, Chili, Galaxy, and Clown Rasboras also make a great addition to the tank! 

A minimum tank size of at least 10 gallons is necessary if you want to keep these active fish with your Kribensis. 

All in all, these peaceful tank mates will make a fun and beautiful addition to your aquarium. 

5. Kuhli Loach

No, it is not a patterned eel, it is a Kuhli Loach, your new Kribensis best friend! 

Kuhli Loaches love to hide in the sandy substrate, plants, and decorations of your tank. They are super-peaceful fish that won’t cause any trouble for your Kribensis or other tank mates. The best way to describe this species is shy, laid-back, but still sociable. 

They are very likely to hide upon first encounter and you won’t get to see them roaming around very often. Plus, Kuhlis are nocturnal fish which means that they need fairly little light and will get ready to rumble once the PM hits. 

These eel-like fish may be introverts, but they won’t mind your Cichlids company, as long as they get to chill out. 

To make a Kuhli Loach feel welcomed in your tank, you should add at least three or four individuals so they can form their own little peaceful loach gang.

6. Tiger Barb

Tiger Barbs really look like little tigers of the aquarium world! But, they are not as fierce as these big cats are. However, they have the curiosity of a cat!

These fish have unique body coloration – thick, black stripes that are distributed on a silvery base color. Due to their unique appearance, Tigers grab the attention of both other fish and your human friends! 

It is not all looks for this gorgeous fish, their personality is even more beautiful! 

They are sociable and curious, which is why they may nip on your Kribensis, but just for the fun of it. None of these peaceful creatures actually means harm. This is why they make fun and engaging tank mates for Kribensis Cichlids. 

It is also worth noting that your Kribensis will swim closer to the bottom of the tank, while Tiger Barbs will wiggle around in the middle or upper part. This means these two groups of fish won’t compete for territory, reducing the likelihood of something bad happening. 

7. Killifish

Killifish are fintastic, vibrant, and energetic tank mates for Kribensis cichlids. 

The reason Killifish and Kribensis go well together is because they both have relatively peaceful personalities. 

And, when I say relatively peaceful, I mean that these fish fall under semi-aggressive species, but they seem to find their mutual language with cichlids. 

The thing is, they don’t feel the need to compete for resources or territory, which means both species can coexist in the same tank without any major issues.

But, there’s a thing you have to keep in mind when it comes to Killifish species — males can be a bit mean to each other, so it is best to keep one male and one female fish. 

8. Corydoras Catfish

Peaceful, laid-back, friendly, and helpful, the Corydoras Catfish are great Kribensis tank mates that fall into the tank clean up crew. Yep, these little guys keep the tank clean with their vacuum-like mouths and fancy whiskers. 

They usually chill at the bottom of the tank, which is why they do not seem to bother the other fish. 

Just keep in mind that, although mostly shy and introverted, Corydoras Catfish are social fish that will feel safe when kept with three to five friends of their own species. 

An important thing to note is that these catfish are very sensitive to nitrates and ammonia, so cycling your tank in 24 hours may not be a good idea. It is better to wait at least four weeks to introduce them to your cycled tank. 

9. Platies

Platies are small, beautiful, and very colorful fish that make great companions to your Kribensis. In fact, there are a lot of varieties of platies, so you can choose between many colors and patterns. 

One thing is for sure, these fish are peaceful and won’t cause any stress to your cichlids. They will swim in the middle parts of the aquarium, making just enough space for your Kribensis to swim on the bottom. 

You should keep them in groups of three to five, but make sure not to keep baby Platies in your tank as Kribensis may see them as food! That said, it is worth noting that Platy fish breed like crazy, so you should keep more females than males in one tank.

10. Siamese Algae Eater

One way that you can keep your fish tank gravel clean is by inviting the Siamese Algae Eater to the party! 

Besides catfish and snails, these fish are some of the most effective cleaner fish you tank will ever meet! Plus, they make best pals with your Kribensis! Why? Because they are peaceful, outgoing, a bit curious, and super-fun! 

Due to the fact that these fish like to move around a lot, they might not be happy sharing space with Kribensis in a 5-gallon tank. 

Instead, give them at least 25-gallons of room they can happily thrive in! 

11. Congo Tetra

Congo Tetras are probably the most beautiful and most peaceful schooling fish of many different types of Tetras. 

It is also worth noting that they are bigger than other Tetras which is why they are able to thrive in the same environment as Kribensis. 

Another reason why these timid fish make the best Kribensis tank mates is because they both prefer similar water conditions and require a spacious tank (30 gallon minimum). 

They also like to swim in a slightly acidic pH environment, usually between 6.8 and 7.8. Therefore, it is important for you to know how to raise the pH levels in your tank to keep these little fish healthy. 

12. Snails

First thing’s first, tank snails are great cleaners and can help keep your tank free of algae, dead plant matter, debris, and other yucky stuff. 

This is somewhat of a symbiotic and platonic relationship that they build with cichlids. They keep their tank clean for free!

Secondly, most tank snails are generally considered peaceful which is why they will make great friends with your Kribensis fish. 

In fact, these fish may be so curious to get to know more about their new snail friends that they may try to nip on them every once in a while, but not in a harmful way. 

Your fish may enjoy using the empty snail shells as hiding spots or even as a place to lay their eggs. 

Some of the best snail species that make great Kribensis tank mates include: 

• Chinese Mystery snails
• Ramshorn snails
• Nerite snails 

Just make sure you don’t add too many snails in the tank, as they can multiply quickly and potentially become a nuisance, so much so that you will have to get rid of them.

On the other hand, if you want to keep your snails alive, then you should avoid adding aquarium salt into your tank as this can kill them. 

13. Dwarf Gourami

Dwarf Gourami are beautiful tank fish that inherit colorful dots and patterns. Not only are they lovely to look at, but these small fish make the best Kribensis tank mates. 

They are peaceful and outgoing and they simply match with them in every way! But not only with cichlids, Gouramis are fun-loving creatures that get along well with other fish too! 

But the real fun of having Dwarf Gouramis in the tank is watching them display their bubble-blowing behavior similar to that of some crab species. 

And then you have the quirky Kribensis that find their bubble-blowing behavior pretty interesting. They also want to learn this cool skill and hang out with their dwarf buddies!

Besides dwarfs, you can also find many other peaceful Gourami fish types such as:

• Snakeskin Gourami
• Pearl Gourami
• Blue Gourami
• Honey Gourami
• Kissing Gourami
• Giant Gourami

The downside of owning these fish may be due to their high maintenance levels. 

But, with research and proper knowledge, you will make a healthy environment for the both of them in no time! 

14. Apistogramma

The word “Apistogramma” or Apistos for short, is a common name for a Cockatoo cichlid, which comes from the Cichlidae family, just like your Kribensis. Of course these two will get along! 

These funky fish have bright orange fins and cool punk mohawk-like dorsal fins, which makes them look a bit fierce. 

And that may be true to some extent, these Cockatoo fish are considered semi-aggressive species that seem to have found a liking of their Kribensis relatives. 

One thing to keep in mind is that male Apistos become pretty territorial when they mean breeding business. So, if they stumble upon many males of their own species in a tank that is too small, then trust me, that means trouble! 

15. Rummy Nose Tetras

Rummy Nose Tetras are small and peaceful fish that look really cool! Their bodies are transparent and their heads are bright red. While they surely add a dash of color to your aquarium, they make good friends with your Kribensis. 

These fish are known for their playful and active swimming behavior and they usually move around the middle parts of the tank. 

However, they may also move to the bottom of the tank which is Kribensis territory. Due to the fact that Rummies are considered prey fish, Kribensis may want to turn their new friends into a yummy meal! 

Therefore, it is important to provide them with safe hiding places, as well as keep at least 10 Rummy Tetras together in the tank. 

If you notice that your cichlids are seeing them as food rather than friends, then it is a good time to separate them. 

16. Rubber Lip Pleco

Rubber Lip Plecos and other Pleco species are known for their efficient algae-cleaning abilities. They keep the space clean and your Kribensis love the freshness! So, it is no wonder that these two get along well.

Beside their hard-working personality, these Plecos are generally peaceful and can coexist well with cichlids and other fish in the tank.

Their appearance is very unique too. There are lots of dark-colored stripes across their body and dark spots across their head. And when it comes to their lips, well, they look as if they had too many lip fillers done! 

It is important to note that these fish are sensitive to changes in pH levels, so it is best that you know when the right time is to raise or lower them.

17. Cherry Barb

Famous for their bright orange to red color, Cherry Barbs are among the top picks of many aquarium breeders and hobbyists. But, it is not only their appearance that makes them the favorite. 

Cherry Barbs are peaceful little fish that get along well with other fish, snails, and even crustaceans. 

The fact that they grow 1.5 to 2 inches makes them great for 20-gallon tanks and it is recommended to have at least five of them together in a group (with more females than males). 

The negative side to this story is that these fish can become startled and stressed easily, especially with a lot of cichlids around. You see, these fish are also considered bottom dwellers and may find their way deep into cichlid territory which can stress them out a lot. 

Cleaning the tank can also be a bit stressful for them. But don’t worry, there are ways to clean your tank without taking the fish out!

Are Kribensis Good In A Community Tank?

Even though they can be a bit feisty from time to time, Kribensis can be great candidates for a community tank. These fish can reach up to 4 inches in length which is why they can do well in 20 gallon tanks. 

On the flipside, Kribensis can be fiercely territorial, especially males when they are in the mood for breeding. So, that’s one thing to keep in mind if you see them attacking their tank mates. 

How Many Kribensis Should Be Kept Together?

If you are using a 5 gallon tank, then you can keep a maximum of one pair of Kribensis. A 20 gallon tank will do well with up to five fish, while a 40 gallon breeder tank could take up to more than ten Kribensis cichlids. 

Also, remember to keep a 1:2 male to female ratio.

Final Thoughts

Those were the best Kribensis tank mates of all time. From smaller fish to spunky snails, these tank critters really make a great addition to your tank. 

Remember, true friends fight sometimes, so if you see your fish arguing about something, it is best to separate them for a bit.