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Brichardi Cichlid
Neolamprologus brichardi
📍 Africa (Lake Tanganyika)
The Brichardi Cichlid, also known as the Fairy Cichlid or Princess of Burundi, is an elegant and graceful fish native to Lake Tanganyika in Africa. It is renowned for its beautiful flowing fins, creamy-white coloration, and unique cooperative breeding behavior where older offspring help raise younger siblings. This species is a popular choice for Tanganyikan biotope aquariums and is relatively hardy compared to other cichlids.
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Care Guide
Diet
Brichardi Cichlids are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality cichlid pellets or flakes as a staple, supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and mysis shrimp. Spirulina-based foods help maintain their vibrant coloration and support digestive health. Feed small amounts 2-3 times daily, ensuring all food is consumed within a few minutes to maintain water quality.
Behavior
Brichardi Cichlids are active, curious fish that occupy all levels of the aquarium and are known for their complex social structure and cooperative family dynamics. They can be territorial, especially during breeding, and will defend their territory aggressively against tankmates. Outside of breeding periods, pairs or groups tend to be relatively peaceful, particularly with similarly sized Tanganyikan species.
Breeding
Brichardi Cichlids are open or cave spawners that breed readily in captivity when provided with flat rocks, caves, or crevices for egg deposition. Both parents guard the eggs and fry fiercely, and remarkably, older offspring from previous spawns assist in protecting younger siblings. Fry can be raised on baby brine shrimp and finely crushed flake food, and the colony can grow quickly if not managed.
Tank Mates
Another Tanganyikan cichlid that shares similar water requirements and can coexist if space is adequate
Compatible Tanganyikan species with similar water parameter needs and comparable temperament
Small Tanganyikan cichlid that shares the same water chemistry requirements and generally coexists peacefully
Occupies a different niche (shells on the substrate) reducing territorial conflict with Brichardi
Small shell-dwelling Tanganyikan cichlid that stays near the bottom, minimizing competition with Brichardi
Tanganyikan catfish that acts as a bottom dweller and scavenger, compatible with Brichardi in larger tanks
Common Diseases
Ich (White Spot Disease)
Small white spots resembling grains of salt covering the body and fins, flashing against surfaces, lethargy, and loss of appetite
Raise water temperature gradually to 28-29°C, treat with copper-based medications or ich-specific treatments; ensure good water quality throughout treatment
Bloat (Malawi/Tanganyika Bloat)
Swollen abdomen, loss of appetite, lethargy, rapid breathing, and stringy white feces
Improve water quality immediately, perform water changes, treat with metronidazole (Flagyl) in food or water; reduce feeding and check diet for excessive protein
Hole-in-the-Head Disease (HITH)
Pitting or erosion on the head and lateral line, loss of color, mucus trails from lesions, and reduced appetite
Improve water quality and diet, add activated carbon to remove chemical pollutants, treat with metronidazole; ensure proper mineral levels in the water
Bacterial Infection (Fin Rot)
Frayed, ragged, or disintegrating fins, reddening at the fin edges, lethargy, and loss of appetite
Improve water quality through regular water changes, treat with broad-spectrum antibiotics such as kanamycin or erythromycin; remove any aggressive tankmates causing physical damage
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – accepts high-quality cichlid pellets, frozen/live brine shrimp, daphnia, and spirulina-based foods
- lifespan
- 8-10 years
- max size
- 10 cm (4 in)
- tank size
- 30 gallons minimum
- temperament
- semi-aggressive
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.8-9.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 10-20 dGH
- temperature
- 75–81°F (24–27°C)