Care
The Fairy Cichlid is widely distributed throughout the northern half of Lake Tanganyika, where it favours shallow, sediment-rich rocky habitats. Here, these elegant fish form large aggregations (hundreds of fish) which forage for food together, although when of breeding age, they form monogamous pairs. The aquarium that houses this species should ideally be at least 4ft long if housing other species, with a good amount of filtration, water movement and oxygenation. The best choice of substrate would be sand and the watermust be hard and alkaline. Rocks should be used to create small outcrops, ensuring that there are ample visual barriers. Fairy Cichlids can be aggressive towards one another in the confines of the home aquarium, so broken lines of sight amongst the decor will help. These cichlids can be maintained in a species-only aquarium or as part of a Tanganyikan community with fish of similar temperament. Combining Fairy Cichlids with other species does not always work in the long run, as their breeding strategy of producing large numbers with generations of juveniles defending their burgeoning family and ever-growing home territory, will eventually leave no room for outsiders unless the aquarium is thoughtfully planned. This fish gives its name to the 'brichardi complex' of similar species such as gracilis, pulcher and olivaceous which share behavioural traits.
Feeding
Flake, green flake, slow-sinking pellets/granules, frozen foods such as vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp, chopped krill, mosquito larvae etc.
Breeding
Neolamprologus brichardi is a cave spawning species. The bond these fish form is strong and is retained during brood care and subsequent spawns. It is not always obvious when these fish have spawned, as oftentimes they are very secretive and the spawning site may be hidden from view. Once spawning has finished, the female will tend the eggs, with the male guarding the perimeter of the territory. The eggs should hatch within 3-4 days (temperature dependent), with the fry becoming free swimming some 7-10 days later. The young can be started off on a diet of freshly hatched brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii) and finely powdered "first foods". Brood care is fairly prolonged, and the older siblings help in guarding the subsequent generations of fry, coexisting within the same aquarium and forming a nuclear family. The cycle continues as the adults spawn again, and it is normal to have several generations living together.
