Brichardi Cichlid - Neolamprologus brichardi
Overview
The Brichardi Cichlid, scientifically known as Neolamprologus brichardi, is a captivating freshwater fish native to the rocky shorelines of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. Renowned for its graceful appearance and intriguing social behaviors, this species is a popular choice among aquarists.
Physical Characteristics
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Appearance: The Brichardi Cichlid boasts an elegant elongated body with a pale, shimmering coloration that can range from light beige to silvery blue.
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Distinctive Features: Notable for its lyre-shaped tail and trailing fin filaments, this cichlid also sports a series of small, light blue spots along its fins and body, giving it a truly regal look.
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Size: Typically grows to about 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) in length, making it suitable for medium-sized aquariums.
Habitat Requirements
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Tank Size: A minimum of 30 gallons is recommended to provide ample space for swimming and territorial behavior.
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Water Conditions: Prefers a pH level between 7.8 and 9.0 and a temperature range of 75°F to 79°F (24°C to 26°C).
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Decor: Replicate their natural habitat with plenty of rocks and caves to offer hiding spots and breeding areas.
Behavior and Compatibility
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Social Structure: Known for their unique social hierarchy, Brichardi Cichlids often form family groups, where offspring assist in caring for younger siblings.
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Temperament: While generally peaceful, they can be territorial, especially during breeding. It is advisable to keep them with other Tanganyikan cichlids or similar-sized, non-aggressive species.
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Compatibility: Avoid housing with overly aggressive or significantly larger fish to prevent stress and potential conflicts.
Diet and Feeding
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Diet: Omnivorous by nature, their diet should include a mix of high-quality flake or pellet food, supplemented with live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp or bloodworms.
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Feeding Schedule: Feed them twice a day, offering only what they can consume in a few minutes to prevent overfeeding and maintain water quality.
Breeding
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Breeding Setup: Provide multiple caves and hiding spots to encourage spawning. The Brichardi Cichlid is a substrate spawner, laying eggs on the walls of caves or in crevices.
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Parental Care: Parents are attentive and will guard the eggs and fry. Offspring often remain in the group to help protect future broods, showcasing their cooperative breeding behavior.
Conclusion
The Brichardi Cichlid is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced aquarists seeking a visually striking and behaviorally fascinating addition to their tank. With proper care and a suitable environment, these fish can thrive and bring dynamic social interactions to any aquarium setting.
The Brichardi Cichlid is also known as the Fairy Cichlid for their elongated tail and fins.
These gorgeous shell dwellers are one of a kind and known as one of the only fish that spawn in substate despite being a schooling fish.
They set up a unique "nursery" and multiple pairs of them will upbringing their fry together.
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Fish and shrimp
I recently did an online order with pet zone for some fish and shrimp they all (11) showed up very lively. They were packed so they wouldn’t get bounced around during delivery also use the overnight shipping to insure that they arrive alive
