Neolamprologus brichardi
Neolamprologus brichardi
The Neolamprologus brichardi (Neolamprologus brichardi) is an aggressive fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 120 litres (32 US gallons), water held at 75-81°F, and a pH of 7.5-9. Always keep a group of at least 6 - they feel safest in numbers.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Africa / South America (varies)
- Africa
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Neolamprologus brichardi Tank Setup
Give them at least 120 litres (32 US gallons). Cichlids are territorial and produce plenty of waste, so strong filtration and some rocks or wood to break up sight lines both help. Aim for 75-81°F and a pH around 7.5-9. Always keep a group of at least 6 of their own kind - kept alone or in pairs they tend to turn shy, nippy, or wash out in colour.
What Do Neolamprologus brichardis Eat?
They have small mouths, so stick to small foods: crushed flake, fine granules, and now and then a treat of frozen or live foods such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp. Anything too large simply gets ignored.
Neolamprologus brichardi Tank Mates
Forms complex family colonies; older offspring help raise fry. Very territorial; will mob larger fish to protect territory. The Neolamprologus brichardi is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's a known fin-nipper, so avoid bettas, guppies, and other slow, long-finned fish. It's a shoaling fish, so settle a group of 6 or more of its own kind before adding anything else - a stressed, lonely fish is far more likely to nip or hide. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Neolamprologus brichardis Good for Beginners?
Doable once you test water regularly and catch problems before fish look sick. If this is your first tank, pick something more forgiving and come back later.
Neolamprologus brichardi - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Neolamprologus brichardis need?
Neolamprologus brichardis need a tank of at least 120 litres (32 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
How many Neolamprologus brichardis should I keep together?
Keep a group of at least 6. Neolamprologus brichardis are a shoaling species and become stressed, lose their colour, or hide when kept singly or in pairs.
What water parameters do Neolamprologus brichardis need?
Keep them at 75-81°F with a pH of 7.5-9, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Neolamprologus brichardis eat?
Neolamprologus brichardis have small mouths, so they need small foods. Crushed flake and fine granules form the staple, with the occasional treat of frozen or live foods such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Neolamprologus brichardis good for beginners?
Neolamprologus brichardis are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.
Common mistakes with Neolamprologus brichardis
- Buying fewer than 6 - Neolamprologus brichardis need a proper school to feel secure; isolated individuals hide, fail to colour up, or become stressed.
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 120 litres (32 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
- Mixing with long-finned fish - Neolamprologus brichardis will nip at bettas, angelfish, and other fish with flowing fins, causing stress and infection risk.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Neolamprologus brichardis
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Common GoldfishGoldfish - prefer cooler, harder water that tropical fish cannot tolerate
- GuppyIncompatible temperament or care requirements
