[1] Specimens from this locality were originally believed to be the same species as Pelvicachromis taeniatus with small regional variations in colour but a study by Lamboj, Bartel & dell’Ampio in 2014 would show that it was genetically separate from P. taeniatus and shared a closer common ancestor to Pelvicachromis kribensis.

[2] The specific name was bestowed to German aquarist Ernst-Otto von Drachenfels by the authors (Lamboj et al.).

[citation needed] Determining the gender of P. drachenfelsi is straightforward when observing mature specimens due to their morphological differences and very distinct sexual dichromatism.

[2] This feature of females possessing pink to crimson-red abdomens in different species of Pelvicachromis provides the genus with its namesake, Pelvica translating from Latin to pelvis and the Greek word chromis meaning fish.

[2] Female caudal fins are predominantly yellow with a small amount of translucence and a transparent grey margin.