 Pelvicachromis pulcher is native to southern Nigeria and to coastal areas of Cameroon, where it occurs in warm (24 – 26°C or 75 – 79°F), acidic to neutral (pH 5.6 – 6.2), soft water (12 – 22 mg L − 1 CaCO3). Populations of P. pulcher also occur outside its natural range in Hawaii, USA as a by-product of the ornamental fish trade.
