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Cichlids
/ Africa / Lake Tanganyika / Brichardi
Lyretail Cichlid, Fairy Cichlid, Brichardi
Neolamprologus brichardi | Pictures
Synonyms: Lamprologus
brichardi, Lamprologus savoryi elongatus.
Physical description: An elongated fish with a characteristic "lyretail."
The tips of the caudal fin are exceptionally
long.
The body color is a creamy-white to beige with tiny yellow splotches on the rear part of the body.
The
eye is bright blue and a dark bar runs from the eye, back to the gill cover.
A gold spot is located just above this
marking.
The fins have blue-white edges.
Size/Length: To 4" (10 cm)
Similar species: Savoryi (N.
savoryi), Daffodil Brichardi (
Neolamprologus
sp. "daffodil")
Habitat: Eastern Africa; rocky shorelines of Lake Tanganyika.
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: 30" (75 cm) tank with a volume of 20-25 gallons (75-98 L).
Use a rocky set-up with caves, crevices,
and tunnels.
A retreat for each is important.
Use a coral sand substrate.
Leave open swimming areas.
Water chemistry: pH 7.5-9 (8.0), 8-22 dH (16), 72-77°F (22-25°C).
Social behavior: A peaceful fish, that outside of spawning times, likes to form schools.
Provide
retreats so that alienated fish can find shelter.
Pairing occurs during the spawning season.
Forms a nuclear family.
Suggested companions: Julidochromis,
Neolamprologus, Cyprichromis,
Synodontis, Lamprologus, Aulonocara, Lamprichthys, Rainbowfish.
FOOD: Live; crustaceans, insect larvae, aquatic insects,
Tubifex; flakes; pellets.
Sexual differences: Difficult to distinguish.
The dorsal and caudal tips are longer on the male.
Breeding techniques: A small, 24" (61 cm) tank with a volume of 15 gallons (56 L) breeding tank can be used.
Place
a pair in the tank which should also include a number of caves and crevices.
Use water with the properties as mentioned
above.
The temperature should be warmer, 77-84°F (25-29°C).
Up to 200 eggs are laid deep inside
a cleaned cave, often out of view for the aquariast.
The parents receive aide in caring for the young from the siblings
of prior spawnings.
Start feeding with
Artemia and fine-grade dry foods.
The fry are slow-growing
Breeding potential: 6.
Breeding is moderately difficult.
Remarks: Make frequent partial water changes.
Difficulty of care: 4.
A peaceful, little cichlid that is excellent for a
Neolamprologus or sand cichlid community
tank.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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