Brichardi Cichlid
Common Names: Fairy Cichlid Brichardi, Lyretail Cichlid
Scientific Name: Neolamprologus brichardi
Maximum Size: 6 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 77°F
pH Range: 8.0 - 9.0
Water hardness: dH 9 - 19
Temperament: Peaceful to Aggressive depending upon tank mates
Origin: Lake Tanganyika
Aquarium Setup:
The Brichardi Cichlid likes an aquarium with a lot of decorations, especially those that provide cave like hiding places, where each fish can stake out a territory. In the wilds of Lake Tanganyika the Brichardi inhabits small caves near the shoreline along a rocky bottom. You should also provide plenty of open water space for swimming as they like to move around a lot. Keep this in mind when you arrange your aquarium.
Brichardi Cichlids have a tendency to dig so be sure that larger rocks are well anchored or they may overturn them and harm themselves. Any plants should also be firmly anchored or this fish will uproot them.
Diet:
The Brichardi Cichlid will feed on nearly all types of flakes or frozen foods. Cichlid pellets are best when combined with occasional live brine shrimp, but you may use other flake foods that are high in nutritional value.
Tank Mates/Community:
The Brichardi Cichlid is very peaceful when it is among other Brichardis, however, they can become very aggressive when mixed with other fish, especially other Lake Tanganyika Cichlids. If you have a large aquarium (35 gallons or bigger) a single Brichardi will often coexist peacefully with other non-aggressive fish. If you have a pair of Brichardis they will terrorize any other fish in the tank.
Fish owners often make the mistake of assuming that since the small Brichardis they just bought seem to be getting along that things will be OK. Unfortunately, when the fish mature problems often begin with aggressiveness and fighting.
Color:
The Brichardi Cichlid is a beautiful fish and is very different in appearance from most other African Cichlids. It is a tan color with small yellow markings near the base of the tail fin. The fins are trimmed with a bluish white edge. A dark colored bar runs horizontally from the eye to gill covering, just above the bar is a brightly colored gold spot. There is, most often, a striking pattern of blues below its eyes extending from the lip to the gill covering.
Breeding:
The Brichardi is one of the easiest of the Lake Tanganyika cichlids to breed. Pairs are monogamous, remaining together for life. The Brichardi is a cave spawner so if you intend to breed them be sure they have appropriate cave-like areas in which to lay their eggs.
A pair of Brichardis can produce about 100 fry. They are good parents and will care for the fry for several months. The fry can be fed brine shrimp and crushed flakes.
It is interesting to note that the Brichardi is the only known African fish with which an entire community takes part in the rearing of the young. In their “collective nursery” system adults and young fry will cooperate to care for the new fry.
