African Prince Cichlid

The African Prince Cichlid (Neolamprologus brichardi), also known as the Princess of Burundi or Brichardi Cichlid, is a beautiful and elegant African cichlid with long flowing fins and a lyre-shaped tail. It is known for its graceful swimming, strong parental instincts, and fascinating social behavior.

Scientific Name:

Neolamprologus brichardi

Maximum Size:

• Grows up to 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) in captivity.

Native Region:

• Found in Lake Tanganyika, Africa.
• Inhabits rocky shorelines and caves, often forming large social colonies.

Diet (Carnivorous or Omnivorous?)

• Carnivorous, feeding mainly on small invertebrates.
• In the wild, they consume plankton, small crustaceans, and insect larvae.
• In captivity, they thrive on:
  ✅ High-quality cichlid pellets and flakes
  ✅ Live or frozen foods (brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia)
  ✅ Occasional protein-rich treats (mysis shrimp, krill)
  ❌ Avoid large, hard foods that can be difficult to digest.

Lifespan:

• Typically 8-10 years, but can live up to 12 years with excellent care.

Breeding Season & Behavior:

• Substrate spawner—lays eggs in rock crevices or caves.
• Breeds year-round in captivity if the environment is ideal.
• Pairs form strong bonds and both parents aggressively protect their eggs and fry.
• Unlike many other cichlids, older siblings help raise younger fry, creating a colony-like social structure.

Best Tank Mates:

African Prince Cichlids are semi-aggressive and do best with other Lake Tanganyika species:

✅ Other Tanganyikan Cichlids (such as Julidochromis or Altolamprologus)
✅ Shell Dwellers (Neolamprologus multifasciatus)
✅ Cyprichromis species (peaceful open-water schooling fish)
✅ Tanganyikan Catfish (Synodontis lucipinnis)

🚫 Avoid:

• Mbuna or other Malawi cichlids (too aggressive and require different water conditions).
• Small, slow-moving fish (may be bullied or eaten).
• Very large or aggressive cichlids (they may stress or harm N. brichardi).

Ideal Tank Conditions:

• Tank Size: 30 gallons minimum, but 55+ gallons is ideal for a breeding colony.
• Temperature: 75-80°F (24-27°C)
• pH: 7.8-9.0 (prefers alkaline water like Lake Tanganyika).
• Water Hardness: Hard water, 10-20 dGH.
• Filtration: Strong filtration is needed to maintain high water quality.
• Décor: Provide rock structures and caves for hiding and spawning.
• Substrate: Fine sand or crushed coral to maintain high pH.

⚠ Important Note:

• Best kept in species-only tanks or Tanganyikan community setups.
• Forms hierarchical social groups, so it's best to keep a breeding pair or a colony rather than mixing with aggressive fish.
• Notorious for defending their territory, especially when breeding.