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Cichlids
/ Africa / Lake Tanganyika / Blue-eyed Tropheus
Blue-eyed Tropheus
Tropheus brichardi | Pictures
Synonyms: Mistaken for a morph of
Tropheus moorii.
Physical description: T.
brichardi has a rounded head and an under-slung mouth.
The
color is brown to brown black as are the fins.
The body is marked with a white to yellow splotch on the back of the
fish.
This fish is located in about the middle of the back.
Opposite this, but on the belly, is
a similar yellow marking.
The iris of the eye may develop a blue color in well-maintained water.
Other color morphs are usually striped
with alternating brown-black and yellow stripes.
The caudal fin is fan shaped.
Size/Length: To 4.7" (12 cm)
Similar species: Tropheus
duboisi, Tropheus brichardi
Habitat: Eastern Africa; found in the rocky regions at depths of 6.5-16 feet (2-5 m) of the
northern part of Lake Tanganyika.
T. brichardi
is found on the southern coast of Burundi.
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: A tank measuring at least 48" (122 cm) with
capacity of 75 gallons (285 L) is needed
for a school of T. brichardi
.
Follow the suggestions for
T. moorii in setting up the tank.
Water chemistry: pH 7.3-9.2 (8.1), 8-22 dH (15), 77-82°F (25-28°C)
Social behavior: A territorial fish that differs from
T. moorii in not forming hierarchies.
T. brichardi is often aggressive towards
others of its own species although not overly so.
T. brichardi
is shy and peaceful towards other fish.
Keep one male with several females.
Suggested companions: Julidochromis,
Neolamprologus, Eretmodus,
Synodontis, Lamprologus.
FOOD: Live; crustaceans, aquatic insects; vegetables; lettuce, spinach, peas; tablets;
flakes.
No Tubifex
, beef heart, or red mosquito larvae.
Only include foods that are high in fiber.
Please
see T. moorii
for other notes.
Sexual differences: Nearly indistinguishable; the genital papilla of the male is pointed, while the female's
is rounded.
Breeding techniques: Use water with the suggestions mentioned above.
The eggs are deposited in open water
and taken into the females mouth.
They measure up to 0.3" (0.7 cm) and like
T. moorii, are yellow in color.
The
eggs, numbering 6-12, are incubated for 4-5 weeks.
During this time, the female continues to feed.
Start feeding with
Artemia nauplii,
Cyclops nauplii, and dry foods.
The
young grow quickly.
Breeding potential: 7.
Breeding is moderately difficult.
Remarks: Offered rarely to the hobby.
T. brichardi
is sensitive to changes in water chemistry.
Several color morphs are known.
Difficulty of care: 7.
A sensitive fish who can be aggressive towards others of its own species.
See
T. moorii for other notes.
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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