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Last time i went to the fish store they had a beautiful pair of kribensis for sale and i was really interersted in these fish. I have a 20 gallon planted tank with a paradise fish, 3 mollies and 2 night gobys. I know they can get aggresive when they want to breed but my paradise fish is pretty tough, or would they fight? Thanks for all your help!

A 20g would be fine for the pair alone, but I wouldn't recommend that size tank for kribs along with other fish.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

so there is no possibility of keeping a pair without getting rid of all the fish? I could find a place for the mollies and gobys, would it be ok for a pair of kribensis and a paradise fish? thanks for your quick response.

I'd be concerned, no matter how tough the paradisefish seems. I've heard kribs are quite agressive when breeding.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I agree. Breeding pairs of kribs have been known to attack almost any fish in their tank, though kribs are normally somewhat peaceful. Some people might have had good experiences with krib pairs, but I would not keep any fish with breeding kribs, just in case they did turn out to be nasty.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

i would say they're incompatible. mollies get pretty big for that size tank plus they and the gobies are brackish while kribs are freshwater.

Mollies, contrary to popular belief, are not completely BW. In fact, more often than not, they are found in the fresher areas of tributaries (the wild caught ones, at least), however, as it stands, most mollies are tank raised and bred, and almost always kept in FW situations for ease of maintenence for the breeders---and they thrive. IME, they would do fine in a 29 gallon. As for the knight gobies, I would assume that they would prefer SOME salt in their water.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 20-Oct-2004 00:24

To add to Cup of Lifenoodles' comments. Only Black mollies would be best in brackish water. Others are pretty much freshwater.

Onto the main question: Since Kribs are bottom dwellers, I wouldn't think they would be able to do much harm (if they did try) if they breed in that tank. Try creating more hiding places for the other fish like floating plants as they tend to be more of middle and upper dwellers and as long as they don't try to pick on the soon-to-be fry, then I would think they would be okay.

Others might disagree though. Personally, I've never had problems with my kribs when they breed. And they have done so often without any fatalities or injuries.

just my opinion.

I'd say if any of those fish would be ok with the kribs it would be the mollies since they'll stay mostly towards the top of the tank.

I have only one male Krib now for quite some time, but lately he has gone feral. He is in a 4 footer with mollys/platty/gourmis/bettas female/barbs/catfish etc, and he chased the gourmai and head butted it in the belly, it ended up with swim bladder problems and later on died. I saw him chase one of the female bettas, I though not much of it as they were new fish and he was stating his terriorty, 3 days later 1 dead and two were fugus up and died. 2 mollys then were chased, nipped and later on died. I had a strong feeling it was him, but when I watch, he like gives me a "I'm a good boy mum look". Then one night out of the corner of my eye I noticed him chasing the Clown loaches around. Well that done it. He is now in a small tank all my his lonesome. Shame cause he started out such a lovely fish. Thats why I am still going to keep him. He seems to be happy were he is at the moment.
But my advise, just be careful. I though my guy was fine, but then he turned nasty. I think it might be the Africian Cichlid in him. I think if you want to put Cichlids in with your mollys, go for the South American types. They seem to be more peaceful. Like Rams/ Keyholes.

Last edited by TigerAngel at 20-Oct-2004 08:29

Last edited by TigerAngel at 20-Oct-2004 08:31