The Latin name for the Daffodil Brichardi is Neolamprologus Pulcher. Other common names for this fish are: Princess Cichlid, Princess of Burundi, Lyretail Cichlid, Fairy Cichlid and Brichard's Lamprologus
Its natural habitat is in the rocky areas of Lake Tanganyika, one of the Great Rift Lakes in Africa. The Daffodil Brichardi is a schooling fish and will lay eggs on the rocky substrate. Because it provides good parental care, it will not eat its young fry. Several generations can live together peacefully with the older fry assisting in the care of the newborn.
Traits of the Daffodil Brichardi
The Daffodil Brichardi has an elongated body with a long lyretail–shaped caudal fin. The fish is off-white to a pale yellow in color. In optimal water conditions, this fish can develop amazing coloration by showing off many shades of blues to violets. In addition, with good water conditions, the iris of its eyes will turn a bright blue with yellow circles around them. Under the eyes, violet half-circles will appear. The yellow blotch at the base of the pectoral fin will be more pronounced in ideal water conditions.
The maximum adult size of the Daffodil Brichardi is approximately five inches and the females of the species would be slightly smaller.
Setting up an Aquarium for the Daffodil Brichardi
The minimum aquarium size should be no less than a 33-gallon tank for the Daffodil Brichardi. The aquarium should have driftwood and rockery caves in order to provide hiding places for spawning and spaces where bullied fish can have a moment of safety. It is also important to leave an open swimming area in the aquarium.
Plants can be used also to aid in the establishment of territories because the Daffodil Brichardi will not disturb them. Only use plants that are hardy and can live in harder water. The tank should also have a layer of floating plants that will help dim the lighting.
- Water temperature should range between 72 and 84 degrees.
- The ideal PH value should be kept between 7 and 9
- Water hardness reading should be range from 8 to 20 DH.
The ideal substrate should be fine sand mixed with coral in order to help the water maintain a high level of hardness and PH values. African Lake buffers and salts should be added. These products are available at pet stores. This will also help optimize the condition of the water and stimulate the Daffodil Brichardi to show off its brilliant colors.
A great filtration system is a must and bi-weekly water changes of no more than 10% is needed to provide good, clean conditioned water.
The Daffodil Brichardi will eat finely ground flake food, or pellets and small freeze-dried foods. Live foods, if fed, should be small such as brine shrimp bloodworms or white worms. Vegetable matter should also be included. Vegetable flake fish food is available in pet shops or use pieces of lettuce, zucchini or frozen peas.
The Daffodil Brichardi should be kept with its own species in an aquarium. This will encourage better growth of its long fins and reduce conflict in the aquarium.
If tank mates are desired, they should be other cichlids from Lake Tanganyika, such as Calvus or smaller Compressiceps. In addition, the tank mates must be already larger than the Daffodil Brichardi and must have established their territory in the aquarium first.
Breeding the Daffodil Brichardi
In order to encourage spawning, the Daffodil Brichardi should be fed a diet of high protein for several weeks. These fish are egg layers and will deposit their eggs under driftwood or in rocky caves. A clay flowerpot positioned on its side will also provide a good spawning site.
The best way to get the Daffodil Brichardi to breed is to place eight fry in a tank and allow them to find a mate. Chances are that there should be at least two pair of breeding mates in the group of eight. Once the fish are over two inches in length, they will be ready to breed.
The eggs will hatch within four days and the fry can be fed baby brine shrimp or finely ground flake food. There is no need to isolate the fry because the parents will provide excellent care for their young.
The Daffodil Brichardi is a prolific breeder and is an ideal fish for beginners who want to learn how to breed African Cichlids. Optimal water conditions should enhance the colors of this beautiful yellow fish and create a very attractive aquarium.
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