{"product_id":"brichardi-lyretail-cichlid-neolamprologus-brichardi","title":"Brichardi Lyretail Cichlid (Neolamprologus brichardi)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Brichardi Lyretail (\u003cem\u003eNeolamprologus brichardi\u003c\/em\u003e), also known as the Fairy Cichlid or Princess of Burundi, is one of the most graceful fish from Africa's Lake Tanganyika. Its tan, torpedo-shaped body is finished with flowing lyre-shaped fins edged in blue and gold and a distinctive marking just behind the eye. Care level is intermediate, mainly because it needs hard, alkaline water. Explore our other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive freshwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e to plan your tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrichardi come from a hard, mineral-rich rift lake, so the key to keeping them is stable, alkaline water with plenty of rockwork. Aquascape with stacked rocks and caves to create territories and spawning sites. They are hardy and long-lived once the water chemistry is right. A famous colony breeder, Brichardi form multi-generational family groups where older juveniles help guard the newest fry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons for a pair; 30 gallons or more for a colony.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 76 to 80°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hard and alkaline, pH 8.0 to 9.0, high GH and KH. Buffer with crushed coral or a rift lake mineral mix.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore leaning carnivore. Feed a quality cichlid pellet or flake plus frozen brine shrimp, mysis, and cyclops.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lots of rock, caves, and crevices. They appreciate territory boundaries to reduce squabbles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:520px;margin:6px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBrichardi, Lyretail Brichardi, Fairy Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNeolamprologus brichardi\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLake Tanganyika, Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive (territorial when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 3.5 to 4 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e76 to 80°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.0 to 9.0 (hard, alkaline)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrichardi are happiest in a dedicated Lake Tanganyika setup. Excellent tankmates include other Tanganyikan cichlids such as Julidochromis, Cyprichromis, calvus, and other Neolamprologus, all of which share the same hard, alkaline water needs. They can be feisty and territorial, especially a breeding pair defending a cave, so avoid slow or long-finned community fish and do not mix them with soft-water species. Provide enough rock and floor space so each fish or pair can claim its own zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-cichlid-gold-pellet\"\u003eHikari Cichlid Gold Pellet\u003c\/a\u003e as a staple, with frozen foods for variety.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-rift-lake-cichlid-buffer-african-cichlid-ph-kh\"\u003eFritz Rift Lake Cichlid Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-rift-lake-cichlid-probiotic-salt-african-gh\"\u003eRift Lake Cichlid Salt\u003c\/a\u003e to lock in the hard, alkaline water they need.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquarium-co-op-crushed-coral-1-lb\"\u003eAquarium Co-Op Crushed Coral\u003c\/a\u003e in the substrate or filter to naturally buffer pH and KH.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-texas-holey-rock-resin-cichlid-cave\"\u003eHikari Texas Holey Rock cave\u003c\/a\u003e for territory and spawning sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e for every water change.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat water parameters do Brichardi need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHard, alkaline water is essential, pH 8.0 to 9.0 with high mineral content. A rift lake buffer, cichlid salt, or crushed coral makes this easy to maintain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they aggressive?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey are generally peaceful for a cichlid but become territorial when breeding. Give them rockwork and space, and house them with other rift lake cichlids rather than gentle community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they breed in my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOften, yes. With the right water and caves they readily form colonies, and older offspring help raise newer fry, which is one of the most fascinating things to watch in the hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep them with my African cichlids from Lake Malawi?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is best to keep Tanganyikans with Tanganyikans. Water chemistry is similar, but Malawi cichlids are usually larger and more aggressive and can overwhelm Brichardi.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48843971789019,"sku":"8181165","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_5932a286-db46-4eb1-9b72-b650b136e353.png?v=1780663569","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brichardi-lyretail-cichlid-neolamprologus-brichardi","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}